John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence the replacement programme for the naval patrol vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2784/07]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Defence the details of the €180 million upgrade of the naval fleet recently announced; when he expects the specialist group of senior civil servants and Naval and Army officers to report back with recommendations on the replacement vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2929/07]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Defence the maximum age of a vessel in the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2635/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 41 and 269 together.

In the White Paper on Defence in 2000, the Government decided that the Naval Service would be developed around the provision of an eight-ship flotilla. The Naval Service is currently operating with the recommended eight ships.

As a general guide, the objective would be to replace vessels after approximately 30 years service. On this basis, three vessels LE Emer (which is the oldest having been commissioned in 1978), LE Aoife (commissioned in 1979) and LE Aisling (commissioned in 1980) would be due for replacement in the next 3 to 5 years.

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. Subject to my consideration of the proposals, the programme will begin with the tender process in the first half of this year with the expectation of placing a contract for the first ship in early 2008.

A continuous process of refurbishment combined with a vessel replacement strategy ensures that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a very high level.