Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

463. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the proposed purchase by the Naval Service of a multi-role vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52571/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel, MRV, is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan and is provided for in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project. It is the Government’s intention that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks.

Following a public tender competition, Marine Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of the MRV. This work is now underway and will inform a public tender competition in due course.