Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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315. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made in selecting a location for a base for the Naval Service on the west coast to service the immense area of Irish waters off this coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56417/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there has been significant recent investments made in improving the infrastructure at the existing Naval Service base with more to come in 2023. To that end, I am satisfied the current infrastructure provision is sufficient to enable the Naval Service carry out it's current operational requirements. The provision of additional infrastructure will be considered in the context of the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on Defence and the Naval Service Regeneration Plan.

My Department has not been advised of any current operational requirements for the use of a location on the West Coast as a base for the Naval Service. If future operational requirements of this nature arise, they will be considered.