Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State but, again, we have received very little detail on the current position of the tender process, etc. Today and also last year in reply to a parliamentary question the Minister of State informed me that the vessel would take part in missions at home and abroad. He also said it would have the capability to carry a full infantry company, with military equipment and landing craft, and have a flight deck capable of catering for military-style helicopters, all at a cost somewhere in the region of €200 million. In what circumstances will members of the Defence Forces be put ashore abroad from this vessel? Could it, for instance, be as part of an aggressive military operation in the Mediterranean? In a recent statement President Macron of France said a new invasion of Libya should be considered. One wonders if it might be something in which the vessel might be involved? In view of the current position on pay and conditions of employment in the Defence Forces, the purchase of the ship should be cancelled. We should fully restore the pay, pensions, allowances and conditions of employment of Defence Forces personnel to be able to retain and recruit personnel in order that the seas around Ireland can be protected, rescue missions undertaken and drug trafficking stopped.

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