Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Farrell for raising these matters, across three main areas of Operations, Procurement and Recruitment/Retention.

Our Naval Service is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles, including a fishery protection service and a number of other tasks including drug interdiction, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations.

The Naval Service is currently operating a three ship model, with two ships operational and another ship on standby. The decision to reduce the number of operational ships was made as a result of the previously acknowledged difficulties in the Naval Service, in particular for specialist positions. This strategic decision was taken in order to streamline operations, bolster existing capabilities, and ensure optimal resource allocation in the Naval Service.

Two Inshore Patrol Vessels bought from the New Zealand Navy are currently undergoing a comprehensive programme of works, including crew familiarisation and training prior to the vessels becoming operational this year.

In terms of the process for acquiring a multi-role vessel, work is underway that will inform a public tender competition. A Prior Information Notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in January advising the market of my Department's intention to run a tender competition to procure a multi role vessel.

With regard to staffing, as of 31 January, the strength of the Naval Service was 732 personnel. The Government has previously acknowledged the current staffing difficulties in the Defence Forces and, in particular, in the Naval Service. In this context there are a number of recruitment initiatives currently underway. In terms of Naval Service recruitment,

• phase 3 of a Naval Service specific recruitment campaign, launched in the last week of January,
• specific advertising for specialist recruitment is placed in industry specific publications and websites by the Defence Forces, and
• specialist external expertise was recently engaged to validate and advise on recruitment processes, with a particular focus on the Naval Service, and

At the Defence Forces level, in addition to ongoing General Service recruitment, recruitment of Cadets and Direct Entry specialists will continue throughout this year.

I am satisfied that notwithstanding current challenges being experienced, the Naval Service continues to carry out the roles assigned by Government, including fishery protection and maritime security operations.