Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Can I make a pitch for my own home port of Foynes in County Limerick to be considered when the LE James Joyceis commissioned? As the Minister is aware, Foynes was the first location in Ireland to provide an aviation base in the north Atlantic. It has a long tradition. During the First World War, the royal navy's north Atlantic fleet was tied up in Foynes for a period of time. There is a long tradition there. One of the few maritime museums in the country is based there. It is one of the deepest, if not the deepest, ports in the country. It has provided shelter and welcoming hospitality to members of the Naval Service for a long number of years. The Naval Service has a long tradition of attending festivals and other events that are organised in Foynes. Over recent years, the Shannon Estuary has shown itself to be of strategic national importance. Foynes is designated as a port of strategic national importance. The LE James Joyceis coming on stream and is due to be commissioned in the near future. I ask the Minister to consider the strategic national port of Foynes. I understand it has not been a home port to any Naval vessel in the past.

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