Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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82. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has examined the feasibility of selling the decommissioned naval vessel, LE Aoife; if he will report on the discussions with the Maltese authorities regarding the vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13524/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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LÉ Aoife was decommissioned from the Naval Service fleet earlier this year following 35 years of service. The intention was to sell the decommissioned ship at a public auction.

However, following a formal expression of interest from the Maltese authorities in acquiring LÉ Aoife, and subsequent discussions with my counterpart the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security who informed me that the Maltese authorities require this ship for their armed forces to patrol the Mediterranean Sea to endeavour to deal with the ongoing difficult refugee crisis in the region, the plan to sell LÉ Aoife was reconsidered. Recent tragic events in that part of the Mediterranean have underlined the significant challenges which need to be addressed by the international community, and I agreed to the transfer of ownership of LÉ Aoife to the Maltese Armed Forces on humanitarian grounds.

While the vessel is no longer viable for use in Irish waters it is ideally suited to address a pressing short-term requirement. The donation of LÉ Aoife will contribute additional capability to the Maltese authorities, and especially the Armed Forces of Malta in their humanitarian work.

Discussions between officials of my Department and the Maltese authorities regarding the modalities for the transfer of ownership of LÉ Aoife to the Maltese Armed Forces took place in the Naval Base last week and are expected to be finalised shortly.