Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have firmly believed since my appointment that members of the Defence Forces should be equipped to the very best standard. That is exactly what the Government has been doing in the past few years. There has been significant investment in the Naval Service. I do not see the Defence Forces being involved in any aggressive military operation. The Deputy is fully aware of our policy of neutrality. As I said in my initial reply, we are only in the very early stages of planning and have a long way to go before we get to the tendering process. That will be the stage at which we will look at the financial envelope available. The White Paper provides for the replacement of the Naval Service flagship, the LE Eithne, with a multi-role vessel. The LE Eithnehas been in service for nearly 35 years, having been commissioned in 1984. We need and require up-to-date equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.

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