Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The replacement vessels will be considered as part of the 2008 Estimates. In July this year, the Government authorised me to issue an invitation to tender. This decision is indicative of the Government's adherence to its promise in the White Paper to maintain an eight-ship flotilla.

Policing the coastline is a difficult job and I wish we had three or four times more ships to perform this task. Unfortunately, large amounts of drugs enter Europe from the Caribbean and further afield, some of which are landed in Ireland, with the bulk being landed in Portugal and Spain. The naval protection systems in the Iberian countries and the United States have not proved effective in halting the flow of drugs. I do not know of a country with a coastline which has sufficient security to guarantee that drugs will not enter the jurisdiction. The Government is committed to maintaining a flotilla of at least eight ships and carrying out a substantial programme of refurbishment to ensure that ships are operational during their lifetime. We are examining the possibility of acquiring larger ships and better arming new ships to ensure they can do their job in this regard.

As the Naval Service intercepts vessels as part of a joint operation with the Garda Síochána and Customs and Excise, it must receive direction. I understand the customs authorities are examining how this approach works in practice. It is possible that a revision of procedures will take place in the near future.

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