Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this Commencement matter which relates to the Naval Service's plans to acquire a flagship multirole vessel, MRV. This arises from a number of concerns relating to the Department and the navy. I thank Mr. Darragh Duncan, a UCD student working as an intern in my office, who has done considerable research on the issue. There are clearly many conflicting issues around these matters. I will take the Minister of State through some of those issues chronologically. On 15 February 2021, The Irish Timesreferred to a recent European Commission inquiry into Ireland's fisheries protection capabilities, deeming them unsatisfactory. That finding relates to this Commencement matter.

On 4 June 2021, The Irish Timesreported that Ireland has had to outsource fisheries patrols to other EU vessels to control our fisheries. That is a challenge in itself. On 6 April 2021, the Irish Examinerreported that the Naval Service's plans to acquire a new flagship MRV at a reputed cost of €200 million had gone to tender. Further commentary has reported that the tender process is not going ahead. The 2015 White Paper on Defence stated that such a vessel was required. That vessel would need to be flexible and adaptive. It would need to be able to carry freight and to be capable of a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and abroad. At this point, I acknowledge the amazing humanitarian work our Naval Service has carried out in the Mediterranean. That was important.

There are concerns around the issue of the European Commission's inquiry into Ireland's fisheries protection capabilities. We should be concerned about that. We must also address the issues of cost and morale within the Naval Service. I am reliably informed that membership is now below 1,000. It is, fact, approximately 900, when the Naval Service normally comprises the recommended level of approximately 1,200 members. Without being negative, there are concerns about the morale of our navy. There is a need to support it in terms of the infrastructure, machinery and expertise that are required.

There were suggestions that this MRV would be used as a hospital ship, would be capable of carrying troops and helicopters and would be amphibious, in addition to catering for airborne landings. It would be a multifaceted, mutifunctional, expensive and essential military resource. It is needed to provide humanitarian support and emergency services in Ireland. There are concerns here. I am asking that we have the necessary ships and specialist equipment, and the motivated staff to address issues around fisheries protection, which are critically important. We also need to find out where we are on this project. Is it on course as the draft tender documents set out? It is important infrastructure that is needed. It would give the Naval Service a boost and a sense that we are all on the one page. It is important that we have absolute clarity about where we are on this important project.