Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if, with the addition of the two new inshore vessels recently purchased with the purpose of patrolling the State’s east coast, there are any future plans for the addition of new naval bases along this coast by the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37639/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that it is intended that the new acquisitions referred to by the Deputy will initially be berthed and operate from the Naval Service facilities at Haulbowline. As part of the wider Naval Service Regeneration Plan, the question of developing Forward Operating Bases in other locations around the Country is under active consideration. I can advise that the Naval Service have examined potential locations and my Department is engaging with the Defence Forces on same. The Deputy will appreciate given the operational sensitivities surrounding such matters it would be not appropriate to comment further at this juncture.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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213. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a new cadetship competition for the Naval Service will be launched in quarter 4 of 2023. [38092/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are no plans to launch a further cadetship competition for the Naval Service in 2023. The 2023 Naval Service cadetship competition was launched in March and closed on 26 April 2023, with 172 applications made.