Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the removal of asbestos from Naval Service vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20924/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In 2014, Asbestos Containing Materials were discovered to varying degrees on five Naval Service ships: L É Ciara, L É Orla, LÉ Aoife, L É Eithne and LÉ Aisling. The discovery of the Asbestos Containing Materials, commonly referred to as ACMs,on the Naval Service ships was treated by the Department of Defence and the Naval Service with the upmost seriousness with the safety and well-being of all individuals involved, both military and civilian, in the Naval Base of primary concern.

In each instance the Naval Service informed the Health and Safety Authority. The Health and Safety Authority issued an improvement notice under Regulation 17(1) Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations, 2006 and the Authority monitored the situation closely. As part of a Fleet Asbestos Management Plan the Naval Service contracted an independent specialist company to survey all Naval Service Vessels for the presence of Asbestos Containing Materials.

All of the aforementioned five Naval Service ships have had all identified Asbestos Containing Materials removed, have been rendered safe in accordance with HSA guidelines and have returned to operational service. No Asbestos Containing Materials were discovered on the other three ships in the Naval Service fleet, LÉ Roisin, LÉ Niamh and the LÉ Samuel Beckett.