Dáil debates

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Naval Service

10:40 pm

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

What happened with Malta in the past was that there was a comment that got quite a lot of media coverage, but that vessel became the flagship for the Maltese Navy for several years afterwards. The transfer was very successful. It is important to say this. The ship had quite a number of extra years of life and it was very useful at the time to the Maltese. They were very thankful for it. We have a close relationship with the Armed Forces of Malta in the context of joint training programmes, etc.

Several options for the disposal of the ships are being examined. One is disposal by safe and environmentally sound recycling via an EU-approved ship recycling facility. Another is sale by auction, which is sale as seen, to a private or government buyer. A third option is a government-to-government transfer or purchase of the ships. We have purchased two in-shore patrol vessels from the Royal New Zealand Navy, and that was a government-to-government deal. It is going to be very successful, and we got great value for money. When people see the vessels, they will see why that is the case. As I said, those vessels will be here early next year. The final option is that we could donate the ships to be used as a possible visitor attraction, museum or visitor centre. That is easier said than done. It involves a cost. I hope we can do it, but we must be careful that the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces do not have to continue to manage vessels. The whole idea of this exercise is to allow us to move on and look for more modern vessels. If we can use the older vessels and if they can be managed under the auspices of Dublin Port or Cork County Council as a tourist attraction, then we are certainly open to that option.

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