Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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135. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the capital investment made over the past ten years in the Naval Service facilities at Haulbowline, County Cork; the specific projects completed at the naval base; the further works he intends to sanction at the base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23333/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for accommodation and training of personnel, as well as the maintenance and storage of equipment for land, sea and airborne operational requirements.

In regards to the Naval Base at Haulbowline, Co Cork, the following major capital works with a value of €20.85m are completed or ongoing:

Completed (€12.50m)

• Refurbishment of FORST Building; (Completed €0.6M)
• Upgrade of Block 8 Accommodation; (Completed €4.2M)
• Remediation of Spencer Jetty; (Completed €2.9M)
• Upgrade of the Oil Wharf and installation of Fire Detection and Firefighting System; (Completed 2020 €3.1M)
• Photo-voltaic solar installation (Completed €0.175M)
• Remedial works to Alexandra Breakwater (Completed €0.560M)
• Dockyard Car Park (Completed €0.441M)
• Extension of Gas Pipeline from Northern Bridge to Haulbowline Island (Completed €0.021M)
• Personnel Support Services/Military Police building (Completed €0.2M)
• Barracks Services Store refurbishment (Completed €0.2M)

• Upgrade of Block 4 Accommodation. (Contract signed 2023 – under construction €7,799,658.65)
• Barracks Foreman Works Building Refurbishment, (Contract signed 2024 – under construction €555,777.10)

• Block 9 Office Conversion,
• Old Comms Building Fire Repair & Upgrade – Cadet Accommodation,
• Cadets Mess – internal alterations and refurbishment,
• New Gym,
• Additional berthage – West Wall graving dock & New Jetty,
• Remediation of ISPAT site,
• Block 10 refurbishment,
• Dredging,
• Main workshops dockyard.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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136. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it is intended to base the two new inshore patrol vessels acquired for the Naval Service at an east coast port; if so, if a particular port has been selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23334/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised that it is intended that the new acquisitions 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.