Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the full requirement in terms of sea-going vessels is available to the Naval Service at all times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17649/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The naval service operates eight general purpose patrol ships. All eight ships are involved in coastal and offshore patrolling and surveillance for the State in that part of the seas where State jurisdiction applies. The number of patrol vessels on patrol in Irish waters at any one time varies between three and eight. The Naval Service is committed to having at least three vessels on patrol within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone at any one time. All vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that they also undertake general surveillance, security and other duties while on patrol. A contract was awarded in October 2010 following an open tender competition to Babcock Marine in the UK for the provision of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Naval Service. Preparations for the construction of these new vessels have commenced and the first new vessel is scheduled for delivery in early 2014. The second vessel will follow one year later. The acquisition of these modern new vessels, combined with a continuous process of refurbishment and repair, will ensure that the Naval Service has ships available at all times to carry out their maritime taskings.