Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the mid-life refit of LÉ Niamh has commenced; the length of time the vessel will be out of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38190/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment including mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class vessels, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh.

The P50 class of vessels in the Naval Service ship flotilla were built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK. LÉ Róisín (P51) was commissioned in 1999, with LÉ Niamh (P52) commissioned in 2001. The service life of an Irish Naval Service ship is determined by the level of operational activity. It is, however, normal practice in a ship’s life to carry out a Mid-Life Extension Programme so as to extend the useful life of a ship to thirty (or more) years.

LÉ Niamh is commencing a pre-planned Mid Life Extension Programme of works, similar to one recently completed on LÉ Roisin which has returned into operational service. LÉ Niamh will return to maritime defence and security operations on completion of works. The timeframe for the works is expected to be between 12 to 18 months and this will be kept under review due to the impact of Covid. The works programme for LÉ Niamh is expected to follow similar upgrades and refit works as LÉ Róisin.

I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have the necessary resources available to them, including a modern and effective range of equipment which is line with best international standards in order to fulfil all roles assigned to them by Government.