Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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439. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 23 May 2013, the process he in conjunction with the Irish naval Service, will use for the naming of the two new vessels to be delivered in early 2014 and 2015 to replace the L.É. Emer and L.É. Aoife; if a decision has been made on the matter yet; when he expects a decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33185/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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A decision has been made to name the two new ships. The first of the two ships scheduled for delivery in January 2014 will be named L.E. Samuel Beckett. The second ship scheduled for delivery in early 2015 will be named L.E. James Joyce. The naming of the new ships after world renowned Irish literary figures will facilitate greater recognition of the ships when they visit foreign ports and when they are operating in the international maritime domain. It is my view that these names portray a very strong sovereign link between the State and the Naval Service and sets the tone both domestically and abroad in reflecting on a more modern Ireland and Naval Service organisation.