Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1321. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on a matter with regard to a vessel being named after a person (details supplied). [13262/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The White Paper provides for the replacement of the current Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi role vessel which will be enabled for helicopter operations and will also have a freight carrying capacity. It is the Government’s intent that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks, both at home and overseas.

The full range of specific roles and capabilities of the new vessel will be considered in detail by the Defence organisation when preparing the vessel design specification before going to the market as part of the White Paper implementation process.

The question of the naming of the new vessel will be considered when the vessel build is under way.