Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his comments. I will start with the issue on which he finished, namely, the pensions Vote.

Without going into specifics, a matter was brought to my attention last week on which I will seek information from the Minister at a later stage. I understand there was a fire on a naval vessel in the 1960s which affected two individuals and I have received correspondence from an individual on that subject. I am sure the Minister is aware of this issue and I would appreciate if it would be possible for him to outline his position on it either to me or through the Chair. I have no desire to go into the specifics here in committee but perhaps the Minister would be so kind as to provide me with his position.

In respect of the Minister's comments and those of the Chair, as an Irish person one must be immensely proud to observe the absolutely critical mission the Naval Service is completing in the Mediterranean at present. I believe the number to date is 7,400 people and I am sure that as the ink dried on that printout, the numbers had increased. I echo the sentiments of the Chair in commending all the personnel involved in what is a critical lifesaving mission in the Mediterranean. Any person who is on board Irish territory in the Mediterranean while carrying out his or her duties can return home rightly proud of his or her involvement in the saving of so many thousands of lives under what I am sure have been horrific circumstances from time to time in recent months.

On the issue of the fleet, I was not aware that the name, the LE William Butler Yeats, had been selected. As I had not been following that, it is nice to know. I am aware the Naval Service has eight vessels at present, the newest of which is the LE Samuel Beckettand the oldest being the LE Aoife, unless I am mistaken. I am guessing this from its designation, P22.