Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, the delay in the return home of Defence Forces personnel has nothing to do with the HR section of the Department of Defence.

The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The current strength of the Naval Service is just over 1,000 personnel, or approximately 92% of its establishment of 1,094 personnel. There is ongoing recruitment to the Naval Service, with the most recent intake of general service recruits and cadets in September. There will be further recruitment in early 2019. The level of training and experience gained by members of the Defence Forces makes them attractive to private sector employers. The Defence Forces are not unique in that regard. This is experienced in other parts of the public service and by other military organisations internationally. At the request of the Government, the Public Service Pay Commission is considering specific recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces.

On the two ships referred to in the question, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that for operational and security reasons it would not be appropriate to disclose details of the operational deployment of any vessel in the Naval Service. However, the Naval Service is meeting its security and defence tasks. It is also important to note that the Naval Service is intelligence-led and must, therefore, prioritise its work carefully. Whether it is the ongoing operation in the Mediterranean or the recent joint surveillance operation off the south coast which resulted in the detention of a 40-foot vessel carrying a significant quantity of cocaine on board, the Naval Service does great work.

Last Wednesday, when this issue came to my attention, I spoke to the Chief of Staff who later in the week visited the naval base to discuss ongoing challenges. The Chief of Staff provided me with a preliminary update by telephone on Friday evening and yesterday afternoon I received a further written briefing on the issue. I am expecting a more detailed explanation from military management in the coming days.

It is also important to note that ships do not sail from time to time for various reasons, including weather, mechanical reasons and personnel issues. The Naval Service maritime security and defence patrol schedule takes into account the requirement to maintain a patrol presence at sea and to schedule resupply, refitting and maintenance in harbour. Despite the challenges it is facing, I am assured by military management that the Naval Service continues to carry out its assigned security and defence tasks.

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