Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The conclusion reached in the report to which I refer is stark: "Without systems capable of subsurface detection linked to data analysis systems ashore, the Naval Service remains quite literally, lost in the dark". This was written in the context of the fact that three quarters of transatlantic cables in the northern hemisphere pass through or near Irish waters. Considering the docked naval ships like theLÉ Eithneand the LÉ Orla, the fact that the capacity of the naval Naval Service is collapsing and the massive economic zone adjacent to the coast of Ireland, this is an extremely serious analysis of our geostrategic location in the context of these cables. The point I raised earlier applies now. What if there is a serious terrorist incident? What if a serious event occurs and we do not have the capability to respond? This is a serious strategic risk, not only for Ireland but also for Europe. It seems that we do not have the capability to respond and not much is happening, particularly in view of the fact that two ships which the Minister of State said would be back in service in the autumn are permanently docked.

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