Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I outlined the ongoing process, which comprises tendering and so on, and the timescale attaching to it. Once details of the costs are known, funding arrangements will be a matter for further consideration in consultation with the Minister for Finance in the context of the Estimates process. That will kick in at a certain time. Many of the ships have a set lifespan. The LE Emer was commissioned in 1978, for example. Part of the costings is the sale of the old vessels. The value of a ship will be determined by the market when it is offered for sale. As vessels will not be withdrawn from service until shortly before the commissioning of the replacements, it would be unwise to say anything that might influence that process. The sale, for example, of the LE Deirdre in 2001, the most recent vessel to be disposed of, realised €270,000. The old vessels must be sold and one can tell, on the basis of the date they were commissioned, when they are due for release. They have to be sold and the new vessels purchased. The Estimates process will kick in at the appropriate time.

I take on board the Deputy's comments regarding morale and staffing. Morale is an issue to which attention is paid by the Department and the Minister at all times. Plans must be made on staffing in conjunction with planning for the increased number of ships.

See this speech in context