Written answers

Thursday, 1 February 2007

Department of Defence

Naval Service Vessels

5:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the capabilities of the Naval Service and the Air Corps to adequately patrol Irish territorial waters at present; the plans for investment proposed to patrol future expansions to territorial waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2625/07]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Defence the shortest response time for a naval vessel to reach the mouth of the Suir Estuary from the naval base at Haulbowline, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2626/07]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of days in 2006 the Casa CN235 100MP aircraft did not patrol Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2630/07]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Defence the minimum number of Naval vessels patrolling Irish waters at any one time during 2006; the number of days during 2006 each of the eight Naval vessels were out of service or tied up for service or repair work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2633/07]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of nautical miles of waters currently patrolled by the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2634/07]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 261, 264, 267 and 268 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 Naval Service provides 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. At present, fishery protection activity accounts for roughly 90% of all Naval Service patrol time. However, as the need arises, Naval Service vessels may be deployed to other duties such as aid to the civil power, search and rescue, drug interdiction operations and assistance with pollution control.

The current Exclusive Fishery Limits extend to 200 miles offshore and cover an area of 132,000 nautical 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. In 2006, the Naval Service achieved an output of 1,658 patrol days, which represents an average of 207 patrol days achieved per vessel.

Naval Service patrols are complemented by assistance provided by the Air Corps. The Air Corps Maritime Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of territorial waters using the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft. In 2006, a total of 251 maritime patrols were flown by the CASA over 229 days, representing over 1,400 flying hours. There were 136 days where no maritime patrols were flown due to, inter alia, adverse weather conditions, essential maintenance, air ambulance taskings and training missions undertaken. The introduction into operational service of the new AW139 helicopters purchased for the Air Corps will reduce the demand on the CASA for air ambulance missions in the future, and therefore increase the capacity for maritime patrols.

The Government is committed to continuous investment in the equipment needs of the Naval Service to enable it to carry out the roles assigned to it. A vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service is currently under examination in my Department and I expect proposals will be submitted to me for decision in the coming weeks. The vessel replacement strategy, combined with a continuous process of refurbishment, ensures that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a very high level. The question of an extension of the State's continental shelf, which may lead to additional requirements on the services provided by the Naval Service, is primarily a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources. The issue will be kept under review with these Departments to ensure that the requirements for any additional Naval Service inputs will be factored into the overall planning process in each Department.

With regard to the Deputy's question concerning the shortest response time for a naval vessel to reach the Suir Estuary from the naval base at Haulbowline, I am advised that the distance from Cobh Harbour to Waterford Harbour is approximately 60 nautical miles. A ship steaming at 15 knots would take four hours to travel this distance in normal weather conditions. However, the actual time it would take a ship to travel this distance is very dependent on weather conditions and the state of the tide. Adverse weather conditions can dramatically reduce the safe speed of a ship.

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