John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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636. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service operations and patrols that were cancelled in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63567/22]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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 primary day-to-day tasking 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. In terms of fishery protection 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.

A range of factors including adverse weather conditions and unscheduled maintenance, as well as staffing issues can impact scheduled patrol days.

A total of 49 scheduled Naval Service patrol days were cancelled during 2022.

Notwithstanding some challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime surveillance operations.