Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals in 2008 to increase the size of the Navy flotilla and develop the Air Corps airlift capabilities. [6345/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Following Government approval to go to tender, notice of a competition for the purchase of replacement vessels for the Naval Service was sent to the Official Journal of the European Union on 24 August 2007. The competition sought tenders for the purchase of two Offshore Patrol Vessels and one Extended Patrol Vessel, with an option for up to two additional vessels. The process comprises two stages — Stage 1, a Request for Proposals and Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender.

The closing date for Stage 1- Request for Proposals was 26 October 2007. Stage 1 Proposals are being evaluated at present in my Department and following the evaluation a detailed specification will issue to those invited to participate in Stage 2 — Invitation to Tender. The "Invitation to Tender" is expected to issue in May 2008, with tenders due for return in July/August. Following detailed tender evaluation it is expected that a contract will be awarded in late 2008/early 2009 with delivery being 18 months to 2 years later. It is likely that the vessels acquired as a result of this process will be significantly larger than those they are replacing.

Recent years have seen the Air Corps take delivery of many new aircraft, with eight Pilatus trainers, 2 EC135 training helicopter and the 4 AW 139 utility helicopters. A further 2 utility helicopters are due for delivery this year. The main focus of the Air Corps in 2008 will be on introducing these into service and on developing their capabilities with the aircraft introduced into service in recent years.