Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have Defence Forces officers in headquarters in respect of the ongoing EU-led operation in the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to send a ship abroad right now, either on a humanitarian mission for a sustained period or to be part of EU operations in the Mediterranean. That is because we have had recruitment and retention issues in the Naval Service, which Members will be aware of because I have talked on the record about it many times. We need to address those issues and we are setting about doing so.

As a result, however, we need to focus the assets and crews we have on those ships for fisheries protection and the other security work they do in Irish waters. In the not too distant future, however, I hope to be in a position to ensure that at all times, we have the option to be able to send a ship abroad on a humanitarian, peacekeeping or peace enforcement mission. The three arms of the Defence Forces, namely, the Air Corps, the Naval Service and the Army, should all have opportunities overseas. That should be part of a career in the Defence Forces, should people choose it.

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