Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Defence the assurances he will give the House of the Oireachtas in regard to the safety and effectiveness of the current naval vessels; if they are not to be replaced until they have completed at least 34 years of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42183/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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While Naval Service vessels have a nominal lifespan of around 30 years, three ships in the current flotilla will have completed at least 34 years of service before they are likely to be replaced – namely LE Emer commissioned in 1978, LE Aoife commissioned in 1979 and LE Aisling commissioned in 1980. Naval Service vessels are required to operate in the harsh and unforgiving waters of the North Atlantic. With regard to safety, there is a programme of continuous planned and preventative maintenance to ensure that all Naval Service vessels are kept in a seaworthy condition and the Naval Service will only send ships to sea in a seaworthy condition. The older ships are monitored through increased inspections and maintenance.

These inspections have recently resulted in extensive repairs being carried out to the L.E. Emer and the L.E. Aoife, with holes in the hull plating of both vessels being detected and repaired in the course of dry-docking. The cause of the damage is likely to be salt-water erosion and micro-biological contamination propagation. The Naval Service is currently in contact with laboratory test facilities to inspect steel samples. The additional cost of these repairs is estimated at €100,000 per vessel. No such problems have been detected with L.E. Aisling although further inspection and examination work is planned.

A vessel replacement strategy for the Naval Service is currently in progress and a tender competition for a ship replacement programme commenced in 2007. The competition sought tenders for the purchase of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and one Extended Patrol Vessel (EPV), with an option for up to two additional vessels. The process comprised two stages – Stage 1, a Request for Proposals and Stage 2, an Invitation to Tender.

During 2008, Stage 1 of the tender process was completed and tenders were received in response to Stage 2. Following tender evaluation, a preferred bidder has been selected and detailed and extensive contract negotiations are now close to conclusion. The decision to proceed with the final award of contract to purchase the OPVs will be subject to Government approval and agreement on funding. Subject to such approval, it is expected that the new vessels will be delivered for acceptance by the Naval Service on a phased basis from 2012. In relation to the larger EPV, Stage 1 of the competition has been completed. Stage 2 will not be initiated until the contract for the OPVs has been concluded. This strategy combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair will ensure that the operational capability of the Naval Service is maintained at a satisfactory level.

As Minister for Defence, the health and safety of all Defence Forces personnel and compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 are of utmost importance to me. The acquisition of modern new vessels will ensure that the Service will be fully equipped to carry out its day to day roles in enforcing the State's sovereign rights over our waters and our fisheries and meeting Ireland's obligations in the area of maritime safety and security and fisheries protection.