Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The role of the Defence Forces is set out in the White Paper on Defence. The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. Arising from the White Paper the primary role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the EU. Fishery protection accounts for over 90% of operations.

There are no plans to expand the role of the Naval Service or for the involvement of Naval Service assets in overseas missions, although individual members of the Naval Service may be deployed on overseas peace support operations, as they have been in the past, within a ceiling of 850 personnel serving overseas at any one time.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister confirm that the fleet replacement involving three vessels over the next four to five years, will take place? I will understand if the Minister cannot answer this now but I believe the Naval Service, due to its geographical location, is somewhat apart from the mainstream of the Defence Forces. How many civil servants in the Department are assigned to naval matters? While fisheries protection amounts to 90% of this work and is the primary role of the service, does the fight against drugs need to be escalated? The quantity of drugs brought in by sea has increased over recent years. A greater role could be found for the Naval Service and the Minister should examine the possibility of deploying craft that could react more quickly than the current fleet. Has the Minister considered expanding the Naval Service to assist in the fight against drugs?

I read an article that referred to one of our naval vessels having an operating theatre and medical facilities on board. Does the Minister see a role for this vessel when Ireland assists in humanitarian crises? Depending on the location, this vessel could assist in providing medical relief.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I spoke to officials in my Department today about the replacement of the three ships. Arrangements are being put in place to effect this. We must decide if we are to replace like with like or introduce new ships.

I do not know how many civil servants deal specifically with the Naval Service but most of them probably also deal with other issues. I will retrieve the information and revert to the Deputy.

The role of the Naval Service is set out in the White Paper on defence and we follow its proposals. Some 90% of the role of the Naval Service involves fisheries protection duties. In the opinion of experts this requires a flotilla of eight ships. Each has a life span of approximately 30 years and three are now approaching the end of that period.

The Naval Service acts as an aid to the civil power, so Deputy Timmins's proposal that it assist with drug enforcement and seizures is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Government. I cannot unilaterally decide such matters during Question Time.

Concerning humanitarian assistance, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, is engaged in an initiative to position supplies for use during future humanitarian crises. I do not see a role for the Naval Service in this regard. Such supplies would be airlifted to ensure quick delivery to locations that have suffered as a result of a tsunami or an earthquake.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In a committee meeting I suggested humanitarian matters should be under the remit of the Department of Defence rather than the Department of Foreign Affairs. I trust the Minister is fighting for that extension to his portfolio. The Department of Defence is the one Department that could do this task correctly and we will support the Minister in his efforts to achieve this. I see a role for the Naval Service in humanitarian backup and supply to coastal countries. The ship with medical facilities on board could be used as a floating hospital.

The Minister has referred several times to the White Paper published in 2000. Has he any plans to review that paper, given the escalation in the fight against drugs, the events of 11 September 2001 and the evolution of battle groups? Perhaps it is time to produce another White Paper on defence.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the confidence Deputy Timmins has in my ability to wrest extra responsibility from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Fine Gael will be in Government before this measure is implemented.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In that case Deputy Timmins can do it himself. He wishes that I do the work for him.

The White Paper was designed to run from 2000 to 2009. I will consider producing another when the present paper has run its course. Many initiatives are contained in this paper, such as the reserve, and these will not be completed until 2009. When the present White Paper has been implemented, another programme will be implemented by this Government over the next ten years.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister should take his lead from the Minister for Agriculture and Food — a new programme every 18 months.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I work through one plan before moving on to the next one.