Barry Ward (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I am conscious that, as we speak, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, is launching the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in McKee Barracks. I am very grateful to the Minister of State for coming here today. I welcome that report and the fact that the Government has taken on this issue and dealt with it in a concrete way, putting forward proposals that will ensure the future of all three branches of the Defence Forces. We can be proud of what is going to come from that report and the progress that will be made in respect of the Defence Forces, with the Government opting for level of ambition 2, which is realistic and achievable.

With that comes an expansion of the Defence Forces. It is projected that there will be up to 2,000 new members of the Defence Forces. That is particularly important in the context of the Naval Service, where we have had serious staffing issues resulting in ships that cannot be crewed sitting in Haulbowline or other bases rather than being at sea and doing the job we intended them to do. In the aftermath of Brexit and Russia's initiation of hostilities against Ukraine, we now know that we can no longer rely on the status quo. The Irish Sea represents not just an Irish border, but a European border. It is therefore tremendously important that we staff and equip the Naval Service in a way that allows it to patrol our coastal waters and make sure that we are protected to the greatest extent possible. I also recognise that the report includes plans to increase radar capacity, which is also tremendously important, but I want to particularly focus on the Naval Service and the patrolling of coastal waters. As I have said, the Irish Sea now represents a European border as well as an Irish border. It is an area that needs to be patrolled by the navy and in which we need to have strong capacity. I suggest that very strong consideration should be given to creating a new naval base of operations in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, may well be of the mistaken view that Cork is the capital of maritime Ireland-----

Barry Ward (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The capital of Ireland, indeed. However, I am sure he will recognise that the maritime capital is, in fact, Dún Laoghaire. Dún Laoghaire has a great maritime heritage. We obviously have the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire but the harbour itself, which recently celebrated its bicentenary, is a tremendously important asset strategically and historically. At the moment, it is less used than it could be. Since the departure of the ferry services, there is no substantial commercial activity within the harbour with the possible exception of Irish Lights, which covers the whole of the island of Ireland in maintaining lighthouses, buoys and other nautical markers that protect mariners. There is a real opportunity for the Naval Service to put a base of operations in Dún Laoghaire. The port is accessible at all hours from a tidal perspective. It never dries out. All naval ships can go in and out. It does not have substantial commercial traffic going in and out so there is no difficulty with interrupting naval operations. As we expand naval operations, it makes perfect sense to locate a naval base of operations in Dún Laoghaire Harbour, which is an underused State asset and an available historic place that is connected with the navy in very many respects.TheLÉ James Joycewas commissioned and named in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. I was at that ceremony, however many years ago it took place. As we expand the Naval Service, there is an opportunity for the Defence Forces to create a base with capacity that is located appropriately, which is right at the centre of our east coast and allows us to patrol a vast volume of water in a very effective way. I ask that consideration of the future of the Defence Forces will involve a serious examination of the possibility of establishing a proper base of naval operations in Dún Laoghaire, with one of the two new coastal patrol vessels we have acquired from the New Zealand navy being based there. It would effect real control in its patrols of the Irish Sea from Dún Laoghaire.

Barry Ward (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I was on the council when many of the events he described took place. We are tremendously proud of our connection to the Naval Service. For many years, Creidne, the Naval Service training vessel, was moored in Dún Laoghaire. I do not think it is in the Naval Service anymore. The Atlantic Youth Trust is moving to base sail training vessels in Dún Laoghaire too. Dún Laoghaire has immense maritime heritage and connections with the Naval Service. Leaving that aside, I am grateful for the suggestion that this will be considered. I hope that will come to pass. I also recognise that there must be an objective analysis of whether it is the right thing to do. I suggest that Dún Laoghaire Harbour represents an unparalleled location and opportunity for the Naval Service to base a vessel to patrol the Irish Sea. I have discussed this with the Minister on a number of occasions in recent months. I hope he will take the opportunity to put the base there because there is an underused asset that could be of enormous strategic importance to the country.