Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

127. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of days on patrol for Naval Service vessels off Cork Harbour in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30381/18]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service vessels patrolling seas around the coast outside Cork harbour for each week to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30382/18]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if problems are being encountered sending Naval Service vessels out to sea to patrol due to a shortage of trained personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30383/18]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

130. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Reserve Defence Force members are being asked to take part in Naval Service patrols at short notice due to the fact that there is a shortage of trained personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30384/18]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 to 130, inclusive, together.

While the primary day-to-day tasking of the Naval Service in Ireland is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State’s fishery protection legislation and our obligations as a member of the European Union, when on patrol Naval Service vessels are multi-tasked in the sense that they also undertake general surveillance, security and other duties.

The Naval Service conducts routine maritime surveillance patrols throughout Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Irish Naval vessels have also been deployed to the Mediterranean since 2015. For operational & security reasons, it would not be appropriate to disclose precise matters affecting Naval Service patrols. The total number of days on patrol in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to end May 2018 is set out in the following table.

With regard to the number of personnel in the Naval Service, I would note that the current establishment for the Naval Service is 1,094. As of 31 May 2018 the effective strength of the Naval Service is 1,047. The current establishment of the Naval Service Reserve is 200. As of 31 May the effective strength of the Naval Service Reserve is 115.

The Naval Service Reserve trains its members to supplement and aid the work of the Naval Service in carrying out its wide variety of roles. As part of their training, Naval reservists receive instruction in sail training, navigation, marine communications, weapons training, fire fighting and sea survival. Subject to the availability of seagoing berths, Naval reservists also receive annual training on board Naval Service ships when on patrol, especially during summer months.

The Naval Service Reserve has carried out 29 training days on-board Naval Service Ships in 2018 to date. I understand that there are currently two Naval Service Reserve personnel on-board one of the Naval ships, with more planned to take part in training in the coming weeks. The presence of Naval Service Reserve personnel contributes positively to the overall operational capability of the ship and this situation benefits both the Naval Service and the Naval Service Reserve. I wish to place on record my great admiration for the members of the Naval Service Reserve who provide valuable support to the Naval Service both at sea and on land.