Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Is it intended to procure a vessel that will be 120 m in length, will be able to provide humanitarian relief and troop support in any part of the world and will be designed for fishery protection purposes? In the event that the Department proceeds to procure three ships, is it correct that the other two vessels will be approximately 80 m in length?

Unfortunately, the Naval Service will need to assume a much greater role in intercepting drugs being smuggled into Ireland. Have factors such as speed and the type of search equipment required to perform this function been taken into consideration in determining the type of naval vessel to be procured?

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