Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The Naval Service is the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. The Naval Service operates eight general purpose patrol ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies, such as internal waters, territorial sea and the Irish sector of the exclusive economic zone.

The main day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the exclusive fishery limits.

The current exclusive fishery limits extend to 200 miles off shore and cover an area of 132,000 square miles. The Naval Service currently patrols the entire 200-mile limit and periodically patrols beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. The number of patrol vessels on patrol in Irish waters at any one time varies between three and seven. The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish exclusive economic zone at any one time. There are 1,682 patrol days per annum.

The reorganisation of the Naval Service was designed to ensure that, when fully implemented, all personnel would spend alternate periods of two years in a shore-based appointment followed by a ship-based appointment. Two years in a ship-based appointment does not imply that people spend two years at sea. This is managed locally by the flag officer commanding the Naval Service. However, where there are shortages of skilled personnel within the Naval Service, it may be necessary for personnel to carry out sea-going duties more frequently.

The impact of seagoing is well understood by Naval Service personnel at all levels and the service endeavours to operate a planned approach to the rotation of personnel between sea and shore.

Other than for able seamen, there is no particular problem with maintaining sea-shore rotation for personnel. There are, however, individual cases where this may not be exactly maintained. For example, personnel regularly apply to extend their period at sea beyond two years.

I am very much aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. On 19 September I held discussions with PDFORRA and I hope we are moving towards a resolution.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

I am pleased that in our meeting we agreed to a process to examine this issue and find potential solutions. A further series of meetings will take place between the deputy chief of staff — support — and PDFORRA over the coming months. The purpose of the meetings is to examine the complex issues raised by PDFORRA with a view to exploring a possible resolution. I will be monitoring progress in this area closely.

It goes without saying that members of the naval service go to sea. My Department and I are committed to ensuring that the Naval Service and the Defence Forces as a whole offer a challenging and rewarding career and a supportive working environment.

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