Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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103. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the LÉ Ciara did not proceed on its scheduled patrol on 20 August 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37506/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency and is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. The main day to day role of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union. The Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. These patrols are carried out on a regular and frequent basis and are directed to all areas of Irish waters as necessary.

For security and operational reasons, details relating to the tasking of Naval Service vessels cannot be released.