Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They are all very fair questions. We have an agreement to provide the LE Aoifewhich has been decommissioned to be used in Malta for security purposes and as part of a more effective response to the migration and human challenges faced by it.

There has been some media coverage to the contrary but Malta is delighted to accept the vessel. We will help to train the crew and make sure they are fully trained on the vessel before it leaves from Haulbowline to sail to Malta. We are confident the vessel will be able to perform the function asked of it for the next four or five years while Malta goes through the process of securing a newer vessel for that purpose. It is a good example of collaboration between two relatively small European states. Ireland is not a member of NATO and has no intention of joining NATO. Any comments from NATO representatives apply to NATO member states. I will reply further on budgets in the next response.

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