Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Just because a ship is at sea does not necessarily mean that it is patrolling. There is a huge difference. Ships are leaving Haulbowline and anchoring off the coast in order that it can be said they are operational. That is a disgrace and must be addressed. The Minister of State and the military authorities must admit that they cannot fulfil the duties they undertake with the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority because they cannot get ships out to sea. That would be an honest admission. Some 138 patrol days had been lost by August this year and I doubt that they have been made up since. The likelihood is that by the end of the year the annual control plan figures which range from 1,090 to to 1,267 will not have been achieved. Will the Minister of State admit that the lack of recruits and the exodus of personnel are causing major problems for the Naval Service in delivering the service everybody wants? What will he do to ensure ships are at sea patrolling and protecting the coastline?

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