Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of patrolling days undertaken by Naval Service vessels in each year from 2005 to 2009; the planned number for 2010; if he has had discussions with the fishing industry or the customs authority regarding the implications for fishery protection and drug smuggling preventative measures for the planned reduction in patrolling days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1995/10]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Naval Service achieved the following patrol days in each year from 2005 to 2009:

As part of the Estimates process for 2010, the Department sought to implement measures which would bring about the savings or the equivalent thereof as identified in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme. As part of this process and to achieve a reduction in current expenditure, I have proposed a cut to the Naval Service patrol days in 2010. The planned number of patrol days for 2010 is 1,480.

The Naval Service has a concurrent multi functional role as the State's primary sea going agency. On any given patrol day the Naval Service can carry out a number of taskings on behalf of other state agencies such as the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA), an Garda Síochána and the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners. I am therefore fully confident that the Naval Service will continue to meet all taskings assigned to them within the revised patrol pattern for 2010.