Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the recommendation in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that plans to build a replacement for the Asgard II be deferred indefinitely; if it is intended to implement this recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34799/09]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals in regard to the Asgard II and the sail training scheme. [34852/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 24 together.

The report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommended that plans to build a replacement vessel for Asgard II should be deferred indefinitely, and that the national sail training scheme should be discontinued. Planned expenditure levels for my Department will be considered as part of the budgetary and estimates process for 2010. This includes consideration of the recommendations contained in the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes. The decisions on all of the issues arising will be a matter for the Government. However, I can confirm that I have sought the approval of the Minister for Finance to use the insurance payment of €3.8m arising from the loss of Asgard II to fund a new vessel similar to Asgard II but with a steel hull.