Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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990. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the need for replacement of seagoing vessels and military equipment throughout the Naval Service; the degree to which any such required replacements will take place on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27444/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister with Special Responsibility for Defence, and I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards, as required to fulfil all roles that are assigned to them by Government . The future equipment priorities for the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the recently published White Paper.

The current Naval Service ship replacement programme has seen the delivery of three new Naval Service vessels in the past three years. In June 2016, agreement was reached with Babcock International for the provision of an additional ship for the Naval Service to be built in their facility in Appledore, Devon. This ship will be the same class as the three newest vessels, LE Samuel Beckettwhich was commissioned in 2014, LE James Joycewhich was commissioned in 2015, and LE William Butler Yeats which will be formally named and commissioned into operational service at a ceremony in Galway next month. Delivery of the fourth ship is expected within two years, which ties in with the project planning process in place under the White Paper on Defence which will determine the Defence Organisation’s maritime capability requirements.

The White Paper also provides for the replacement of the current flagship, LE Eithne, by a multi-role vessel (MRV). LE Eithnewas built in 1984. In addition, the two existing Coastal Patrol Vessels, LE Ciaraand LE Orla are due for replacement in the coming years (also built in 1984). It is outlined in the White Paper that these ships will be replaced with vessels with countermine and counter IED capabilities.

In addition, the White Paper recognises the requirement to maintain and upgrade vessels having regard to emerging operational requirements and changes in technology.

I am satisfied that the current provisions, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, will ensure that the Naval Service are fully equipped to meet the roles placed on them.