Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Defence the age of each ship in the Naval Service; the schedule for replacement of each ship; the costs involved in the replacement; if safety or other concerns have been raised as to the suitability of each ship for continued usage by the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The following are the ages of the eight ships in the current flotilla: LE Emer, 31 years; LE Aoife, 30 years; LE Aisling, 29 years; LE Eithne, 25 years; LE Ciara, 25 years; LE Orla, 24 years; LE Róisín, ten years; and LE Niamh, eight years.

Naval vessels have a minimal lifespan of approximately 30 years. Accordingly, three ships are due for replacement now and over the next few years - LE Emer, commissioned in 1978, LE Aoife, commissioned in 1979 and LE Aisling, commissioned in 1980.

Following a detailed examination of the needs of the Naval Service within my Department, a vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service was put in place. The strategy combined with a continuous process of refurbishment will ensure that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a satisfactory level.

Following Government approval in July 2007, a tender competition for the purchase of replacement vessels for the Naval Service commenced. The competition provides for the potential purchase of up to five replacement vessels - two offshore patrol vessels, OPVs, with an option of a third and one extended patrol vessel, EPV, with an option on a second. The options that I mentioned provide an effective value for money opportunity, at locked in prices, to provide replacements for Naval Service vessels which will reach the end of their service life in the years immediately following the current three vessel replacement programme.

In so far as the OPVs are concerned, the tender competition has progressed to the stage where we now have a preferred bidder in place and contract negotiations are all but concluded. However, no contract has yet been signed as this requires Government approval on funding. This will be considered in the context of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2010 which will include consideration of the McCarthy report.

It would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage pending the outcome of these deliberative processes nor would it be appropriate to divulge the proposed cost of the replacement OPVs as this information is commercially sensitive and the procurement process has not yet been completed.

On the larger EPVs, my Department intends to complete the contract negotiations for the OPVs before the second stage of the EPV competition is initiated. As with the OPVs, any decision to award a contract for the purchase of an EPV must be approved by the Government.

With regard to safety, there is a programme of continuous planned and preventative maintenance to ensure that all Naval Service vessels are kept in a seaworthy condition and the Naval Service will send ships to sea only in such a condition. As Minister for Defence, the health and safety of all Defence Forces personnel and compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 are of utmost importance to me.

The acquisition of modern new vessels will ensure that the service will be fully equipped to carry out its day-to-day roles in enforcing the State's sovereign rights over our waters and our fisheries and meeting Ireland's obligations in the area of maritime safety and security and fisheries protection.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister confirm whether an article that appeared on a national newspaper on 11 September last, stating that he was seeking €104 million for two new patrol vessels and a sail training vessel, is correct? Did he approach the Government for this funding at that time?

Is he aware that during the summer when the three ships in question, LE Emer, LE Aoife and LE Aisling, were in dry dock for cleaning purposes faults and structural cracks were discovered on the hull of the ships? This must be serious. Is the Minister concerned about this?

I understand that as ships get older, the noise level emanating from them increases. The reports I receive state that there is excessive noise on these ships. Is the Minister making provision to measure this noise in case it might cause damage to those on board?

I am sure the Minister would agree that the Naval Service is now playing a more important and vital role, especially in the interception of drugs coming into this country, and for that reason alone he should make a case to Government for the immediate replacement of these three vessels.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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On Deputy Deenihan's first question, I recall that interview which took place at Haulbowline naval base. A number of members of the media to whom I spoke on that occasion asked what was the position on the ship replacement programme and I told them I was seeking funding from the Government to replace, over a period of time, three ships that are nearing the end of their useful lifespans. There was speculation about the amount of money that would be involved. A figure of €104 million was mentioned. I would hope we would be able to do it for less. We are discussing specific figures with the preferred tender, but until such time as I get approval from the Government I do not want to say any more on that. The House can be assured that I am making strenuous efforts in the course of the budgetary discussions we are having at present to get money for ship replacement.

I am aware that, further to the LE Emer being power washed recently, a hole of approximately 4cm in diameter was found in the hull. Following an ultrasound operation put in place to test the hull generally, two other areas gave rise to concern. As a result, the steel from the hull has gone to a laboratory and tests are being conducted. Of course, repairs were carried out where they were necessary. It required a further dry-docking of the ship for an extra three weeks, and an extra €100,000. It was a fairly expensive job. That is what happens when ships get older and that is why we must replace them after a certain period of time.

On the noise issue raised by Deputy Deenihan, I am aware that noise is a problem in the three oldest ships. It is not a problem in the newer ships and it certainly will not be a problem in any replacements. We have conducted surveys on the three oldest ships. We have spent money on the LE Emer, which is the oldest ship. The jury is still out, to a certain extent, following tests on whether it has necessarily done a great deal of good and we are now faced with perhaps incurring considerable expenditure to alleviate the situation on the LE Emer. We are examining that closely at present. Those are the problems one encounters as ships get older.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister confirm that the LE Emer is seaworthy and that he is merely concerned about its general health and safety?

According to the press report, the Minister mentioned that he was seeking permission from the Government to spend the €3.8 million derived from the insurance on Asgard II following its sinking. Is he making provision at this stage for a replacement sailing vessel for Asgard II?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is an extension of the question.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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It is not.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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On the Deputy's first question, I am obviously concerned with health and safety and I am assured by the Naval Service that it has done the appropriate repairs to the LE Emer. I am further assured by the Naval Service that it will not send a ship to sea unless it is satisfied beyond any shadow of doubt that the ship is seaworthy and safe. However, as I stated, problems are developing in the older ships because everything has a lifespan. A ship's lifespan is approximately 31 to 33 years. The McCarthy report seemed to suggest it could be longer in certain cases but I do not necessarily agree with that.

There is a specific question later on the other matter Deputy Deenihan raised. However, the insurance money has been paid. It is in a suspense account in my Department, which means, in layman's language, that I cannot touch it without permission from the Department of Finance. I have sought that permission and I am still awaiting a response.