Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to address the concerns of naval personnel with regard to the time spent on sea going duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32340/06]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will comment on the report, A Voyage of Understanding which he has received from PDFORRA regarding the low morale of the naval forces due to long-term sea patrols; his response to the low morale in the naval forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32304/06]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the recent statement from the general secretary of PDFORRA that morale among Naval Service members and their families is at an all-time low; his further views on the number of Naval Service members currently applying to leave the service; the efforts being made to ensure that personnel spend a maximum of 180 days at sea over two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32181/06]

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the recent report A Voyage of Discovery; his views on the report's findings of low morale in the Naval Service; if he will address the many issues highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32179/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 29, 44 and 67 together.

The Naval Service provides the maritime element of the Defence Forces and has a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime Defence requirements. The Naval Service operates eight general-purpose patrol ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance 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.

The main day-to-day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Fishery Limits.

The current Exclusive Fishery Limits extend to 200 miles offshore and cover an area of 132,000 square miles. The Naval Service currently patrols the entire 200 mile limit and periodically patrols beyond these limits to protect specific fisheries. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary. The number of Patrol Vessels on patrol in Irish waters at any one time varies between three and seven. The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone at any one time.

Last year the Naval Service achieved a total of 1,682 patrol days, of which 93% related to fishery protection. This was an increase of more than 5% over the total patrol days for 2004. In the course of these patrols, a total of 2,068 vessels were boarded, 41 were detained and 111 warnings were issued. These outputs reveal a focused and committed Naval Service that is continuing to produce high levels of performance.

The reorganisation of the Naval Service was designed to ensure that when fully implemented all personnel would spend alternate periods of two years in a shore based appointment followed by a ship based appointment. In this regard, I should point out that two years in a ship based appointment does not imply that people spend two years at sea. This is managed locally by the Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service. However, where there are shortages of skilled personnel within the Naval Service, it may be necessary for personnel to carry out sea-going duties more frequently.

The impact of seagoing is well understood by Naval Personnel at all levels and the Naval Service endeavours to operate a planned approach to the sea/shore rotation of personnel.

Other than for Able Seamen there is no particular problem with maintaining sea/shore rotation for personnel. There are however, individual, cases where this may not be exactly maintained e.g. Personnel regularly apply to extend their period at sea beyond 2 years.

I believe that it is essential that we retain highly trained and experienced personnel in the Naval Service. However in recent years there are great opportunities in the private sector for well qualified and highly motivated people. As one might expect, members of the Permanent Defence Force, including the Naval Service take up offers of civilian employment in times of economic prosperity. There are two quite distinctive factors which specifically impinge upon the general Permanent Defence Force situation in this regard. Firstly, the immediate availability at a relatively young age of pension and gratuities. Secondly, it is widely recognised, not least by private sector employers, that the programmes of personal development and training available in the Defence Forces are second to none and can stand comparison with the best in the private sector. Obviously, such personnel, already pre-trained and well experienced to the highest levels, are a tempting target to the private sector. In addition, the unique leadership and management skills of personnel has made them a very attractive target for recruitment in the private sector.

To date this year there have been 60 discharges from the naval service. Of this figure 16 retired on pension/age grounds, 38 left at their own request and the remaining 6 were discharged on a variety of grounds.

I am very much aware of the report A Voyage of Discovery and in fact on the 19th September I held discussions with a PDFORRA delegation and representatives of the Naval Service regarding the effects of patrol duties on personnel of the Naval Service.

I am pleased to say that our meeting reached agreement on a process to examine this issue and find potential solutions. A further series of meetings will take place between the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) and PDFORRA over the coming months. The purpose of the meetings is to examine the complex issues raised by PDFORRA with a view to exploring a possible resolution. I will be monitoring progress in this area closely.

It goes without saying that members of the naval service go to sea. At the same time both my Department and I are committed to ensuring that the Naval Service and the Defence Forces as a whole provides a challenging and rewarding career and a supportive working environment.