David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 506: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 2 of 12 October 2006, the progress that has been made in the time at sea issue; the number of personnel who typically spend more than the two years in a ship based appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8591/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

In 2006 the Naval Service achieved an output of 1,658 patrol days, which represents an average of 207 patrol days per vessel. In the course of these patrols, a total of 1,892 vessels were boarded, 19 were detained and 148 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. While every effort is made to ensure that the two year rotation target is met there are occasions when as a result of shortages of key skilled personnel it is necessary for personnel to carry out ship-based duties more frequently.

The number of personnel who spend more than two years in a ship-based appointment varies from time to time depending on current strengths, availability of personnel (e.g. medical issues), wastage rates and recruitment. Currently there are four officers, which is 2.4% of the officer strength, serving onboard in excess of two years. Of these, one is extending his stay at sea at his own request and the remaining three will be posted ashore before the end of 2007. Of the enlisted personnel, eighteen are serving onboard ship in excess of two years. This represents 2% of the enlisted personnel strength. Of these eighteen, five have formally requested to extend their time at sea and the remaining thirteen have indicated that they have no objection to remaining at sea if required. It is not unusual for personnel to request to remain in ship-based appointments in excess of the two years for such reasons as financial, domestic or career advancement.

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. As I stated previously I am very much aware of the report A Voyage of Discovery. On the 19th September 2006 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.

At our meeting agreement was reached on a process to examine this issue and find potential solutions. A number of meetings took place between the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support), PDFORRA and Naval Service Command personnel. Arising from these discussions, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) set up a Working Group consisting of members of PDFORRA and the Naval Service Command. I am informed by the Military Authorities that the work of this Working Group is well advanced and is nearing completion. I am monitoring progress in this area closely.

It goes without saying that members of the naval service have to 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.