Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I agree with much of what has been said. We need to invest more in our Naval Service and we are doing so. Crucially, we need to do things, namely, increase the number of people in the navy and we need to increase the capabilities and infrastructure of the Naval Service. Work is under way on both fronts. This year will see a significant increase in patrol days at sea on last year. It will see more people in the Naval Service this year than last year. This has already happened. It will see the highest increase in direct entry in five years. That is under way. With decisions made this year, in 2026 very important radar capabilities will be rolled out. A lot of good work is ongoing. I do not say that in relation to the Government but rather in relation to the work being done by the Defence Forces and I thank them.

Deputy Smith has asked me an honest and fair question about whether I am satisfied we will be able to get to the establishment figure of 1,094. Perhaps I could extend the question on to LOA 2. I am satisfied we will be able to continue to increase the numbers and that we are on an upward trajectory. More interventions will be needed to have a step change. That is why I have asked the Chief of Staff to produce a workforce plan by the end of April, which I will then publish and share with Members. This will show how the Defence Forces believe we can get to the figure of LOA 2 by 2028, which is 11,500 people overall, broken down between the Air Corps, the Navy and the Army. It will identify the pinch points. Some might be on our side regarding policy and some may be on their side in terms of training capabilities. We will have this plan by the end of April.

See this speech in context