John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Defence if it is proposed to augment the Naval Service with any new craft over the coming 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6736/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In the White Paper on Defence, the Government decided that the Naval Service will be developed around the provision of an eight ship flotilla. In recent years, two new ships have been delivered to the Naval Service and the service is operating with the recommended eight ships.

LE Roisin was commissioned in December 1999 and her sister ship, LE Niamh, which replaced LE Deirdre, was commissioned in September 2001. The total cost of the two ships was €50 million. Both ships have proved to be tremendous assets to the Naval Service in carrying out its various day to day roles.

The Government is committed to continuous investment in the equipment needs of the Naval Service that will maintain the eight ship flotilla.