Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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235. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of ships in the Naval Service fleet; the current number that can put to sea; the level of staffing needed for each; the number of additional staff that are required to ensure a fully functioning Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11326/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight Commissioned vessels. Four of the vessels are available for operations including the three P60 class vessels which conduct patrols on a rotation basis. In addition, the L.É. Aoibhinn (P70) is also deployed on Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO). The composition of a ship’s crew is complex and requires suitably qualified and experienced personnel to be in place in a number of specialist positions on board the ship. The Naval Service's P60 & P50 class of vessels each have a minimum crewing requirement of 45 personnel, while the P70 class of vessels each have a minimum crewing requirement of 24 personnel.