John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this matter and the Minister of State for his attendance. I request that the decommissioned Naval Service vessel LE Aislingbe donated to the people of Galway for use as a floating museum moored at either Galway Docks or Salthill. To set out some of the background to this matter, in September 1996, Galway Corporation, which is now Galway City Council, formally adopted the LE Aisling on behalf of the people of Galway and resolved to develop a special relationship with the ship and its crew and to promote awareness of the role and functions of the Naval Service. In accepting the adoption, the captain and crew of the LE Aislingundertook to nurture a special relationship with the city of Galway. The city's coat of arms is displayed proudly on the insignia of the ship and it has been a continual source of pride for Galwegians to see that insignia and the ship itself when the LE Aislinghas moored at Galway Docks.

Following the decommissioning of the ship, at which the Minister of State presided two weeks ago, Councillor Pearse Flannery of Galway City Council proposed on Monday last that the decommissioned ship would be donated to the city of Galway and received the unanimous backing of all councillors. The proposal has the complete support of the Galway city manager, the heritage officer, the business community, the chamber of commerce and the Galway Harbour Company board, which is willing to berth the ship free of charge on behalf of the people of Galway. All the stakeholders are in unison on this and I understand that a formal request was to be made to the Minister of State following the meeting on Monday night. In view of the support from all of the stakeholders with connections to the city, I request that the application be considered favourably. Galway is currently in contention for European city of culture 2020 and I understand the judges will be in the city in the next week or so. This project could very much be a centrepiece in that process.

The LE Aislingpatrol vessel was commissioned in 1980 and decommissioned a couple of weeks ago. Its name was derived from the aisling poem to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Pádraig Pearse. How appropriate it would be in 2016 to donate the vessel to the people of Galway. I formally propose that to the Minister of State.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator John O'Mahony for raising this matter. I attended the ceremony held in Galway on Wednesday, 22 June 2016 to mark the decommissioning of LE Aislingfollowing 36 years of outstanding service to the State. The proud record of the ship in operational service with the Naval Service was duly recognised and the range of activities which the ship was involved in was recalled and commended. The former LE Aislingwas twinned with Galway and its long association with the city of the tribes was also noted and remembered. While in service the former LE Aislingtravelled in excess of 628,000 nautical miles, equivalent to circumnavigating the globe 32 times. The crew boarded more than 5,500 vessels at sea and detained more than 220 fishing vessels. The former LE Aislingwas involved in many successful operations, the most notable of which include the arrest of the Marita Annin 1984. It was also the first vessel on the scene of the Air India disaster in 1985, for which operation several of the crew were decorated.

In pursuit of our commitment to progress the ships replacement programme as set out in the White Paper on Defence, the Government has provided a significant increase in capital funding to enhance capabilities across the Defence Forces. The LE William Butler Yeatswill replace the former LE Aislingand is scheduled for delivery shortly. The signing of a contract last month for the supply of a fourth sister vessel to augment the Naval Service fleet is a tangible demonstration of this commitment. LE William Butler Yeatswill be the third ship to be delivered under the current Naval Service vessel replacement programme. LE Samuel Beckettwas commissioned into service in 2014, followed by LE James Joycein September 2015. LE Samuel Beckettand LE James Joycereplaced LE Emerand LE Aoife, respectively, which were withdrawn from service on delivery of the new ships. LE Emerwas disposed of in 2013 by way of sale by public auction and €320,000 was realised to the Exchequer in this regard. LE Deirdrewas similarly disposed of in 2001 for £190,000. A slightly different situation arose in 2015 in relation to the disposal of the LE Aoife. The original intention was to sell LE Aoifeby way of public auction in the same manner. However, following a formal expression of interest from the Maltese authorities in acquiring LE Aoifeand subsequent discussions between the then Minister for Defence and the Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, the plan to sell the ship was reconsidered. The Maltese authorities requested the ship for their armed forces to patrol the Mediterranean Sea to endeavour to deal with the ongoing difficult refugee crisis in the region. The then Minister agreed to the transfer of ownership of LE Aoifeto the Maltese Armed Forces on humanitarian grounds. While the vessel was no longer viable for use in Irish waters, it was ideally suited to address a pressing short-term requirement.

I understand the level of interest that the decommissioning of a Naval Service vessel generates. The possibility of donating a vessel as a museum or visitor attraction also arose in connection with the disposals of the former LE Deirdre, LE Emer andLE Aoife. However, I am advised that the age, size, structure and layout of Naval Service vessels mean they are considered rather unsuitable for conversion for use as museums or visitor attractions. While my first priority is the appropriate disposal of defence equipment, I am aware that many issues arise in connection with the conversion of vessels for other roles. This is because a vessel requires ongoing protection measures in respect of its physical condition to defend it and to guard it from deterioration. Indeed, a vessel must be kept structurally sound, weather resistant and watertight. This requires the availability of materials and competent personnel with the requisite skills and expertise to carry out work at a significant cost. There are further considerations in relation to a vessel's use as a tourist attraction. Large scale work would be required of the recipient to protect the physical condition of the vessel from deterioration or damage. Further work would be involved in stabilising the structural integrity of the vessel and providing for its essential ongoing long-term maintenance. Recipients face other significant costs associated with a donation of this type including those associated with health and safety issues and insurance liabilities and risks. The most cost-effective approach will have to be taken into consideration in informing my decision on this matter. I will determine the approach to the disposal of the LE Aislingvery shortly and will take all of these matters into account.

John O'Mahony (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his outline. All of this has happened very recently and I understand the criteria involved and the need for a feasibility study. Nevertheless, I ask that the proposal is explored and that departmental officials meet with the interested parties in Galway. Given the time constraints since decommissioning, it will not have been possible to carry out a feasibility study. However, it has been indicated to me that there is a willingness to do all of that. All of the things to which the Minister of State pointed in his speech will be taken into account in that process, including the conditions that would have to be met.Will the Minister of State look on this proposal favourably in principle, outlining whatever criteria are needed? Will his officials meet with the stakeholders involved in Galway City Council? It would be appropriate if that would happen in 2016.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Having been on board older Naval Service vessels such as LE Aisling, and given their size, structure and layout, it is difficult to see them being suitable for use as a visitor attraction. Having such an attraction would also require ongoing measures to safeguard the physical condition of the vessel and prevent it from deteriorating. This would incur additional costs as well as requiring the availability of materials and staff with skills and expertise to carry out work to keep the vessel structurally sound, weather resistant and watertight. I would not like to see a naval vessel moored on a quayside in Galway left to deteriorate.

Another factor to consider is the harbour space the vessel will take up. It is necessary the harbour retains its capacity to function and meet the daily working requirements of other users as well as having sufficient access. While Galway City Council passed a motion on this matter, I would encourage the local authority to engage with an expert group or people with knowledge of ships and maritime issues to consider the change of use, the set-up and the end costs involved as well as issues around access, location and the day-to-day operations of such an attraction.

This is not as simple as parking the LE Aislingin the harbour. There are other significant issues which must be taken into account, such as safety, insurance, staffing, opening hours and who will pay for the staff. What happens if it is no longer an attraction in five years’ time and Galway City Council wants to dispose of the vessel? These are the issues the council must take into account.

I will be finalising my approach on the disposal of the LE Aislingshortly. My decision will be informed by the most cost-effective approach and take into account all of the issues I have outlined. This decision will be made in the next four to five weeks, not several months from now. If Galway City Council has a proposal to make, it should do a fully costed feasibility study as soon as possible and get it to my departmental officials. I will seriously consider any proposals the council comes up with and will make my decision on that. However, as I stated, I do not want to be passing the harbour in Galway four years from now, seeing the vessel left unmaintained, followed by a request for the Department to take it back.