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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 81 together.

I accepted the recommendation of the working group on decommissioning, dated December 2021, that the decommissioning and disposal of three Naval Service ships, namely, the LÉ Eithne, P31, the LÉ Orla, P41, and the LÉ Ciara, P42, should be progressed as soon as is practicable, taking into account resourcing and the current impact of maintaining the ships.  Officials in my Department are examining options on how to dispose of the ships post decommissioning in the most efficient and effective manner and to ensure that the ships can be taken out of the Naval Service base in Haulbowline at the earliest opportunity in order to free up personnel resources and berthage space and keep the cost of maintenance at the minimum.

Dublin Port and Cork County Council have made representations to me regarding the donation of the LÉ Eithnefor use as a tourist attraction or museum piece.  In this regard, I have asked my officials to consult these bodies on their proposals and to report back to me before I finalise my approach to the disposals.  Consultations are ongoing. My officials are also exploring the option of a government-to-government transfer of the LÉ Orlaand LÉ Ciara. The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing assistance in this regard. I have not made a final decision on the method of disposal of these vessels, but I hope to finalise my approach to the disposals shortly.

There is interest in turning the LÉ Eithne into an attraction. We must explore the viability of that proposition. If that is viable, then I would like to do it, because this ship has an extraordinary history and people would like to see it being used to good effect. Regarding the other vessels, if we can ensure that they have further use in another country which may be able to use them, then we are certainly examining those options now, rather than breaking up or disposing of the ships. If they can be used in a way that ensures sensible security guarantees and so on, then we are very much open to that option. We are exploring that possibility, but the important thing is that we move these three ships on. They are taking up significant human resources that could be used on other ships now, in respect of their basic maintenance, berthage, etc. We want to make decisions on these issues over the next few weeks in order that we can progress these projects.

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