Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 468: To ask the Minister for Defence if sufficient vessels and equipment are available to the Naval Service to ensure adequate coastal surveillance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17415/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Naval Service operates eight general-purpose patrol ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance by maintaining a Naval and Maritime service for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies such as Internal Waters, Territorial Sea and the Irish Sector of the Exclusive Economic Zone and on the high seas. They operate as the maritime element of defence. I am satisfied that the Naval Service has the required assets to meet its obligations in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance.

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. The total cost of the two ships was €50m. Both ships have proved to be tremendous assets to the Naval Service in carrying out its various day-to-day roles.

There is a continuous process of refurbishment of the current fleet. Through a combination of improved support/operational systems and equipment and ongoing maintenance, the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a very high level. The replacement programme for Naval Service vessels is under continuous review. As a general guide, the objective would be to replace vessels after approximately 30 years service. On this basis, two vessels would be due for replacement in the period 2007 to 2009. This issue is currently under examination and I expect it will be submitted to me for decision later this year.