Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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356. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on his Department’s engagement with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council regarding the establishment of a forward operating base for the Naval Service at Dún Laoghaire harbour; the expected timeline for any formal designation of a base at the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43336/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Further to the Deputy's recent question on this matter, I can confirm that officials from my Department are continuing discussions with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the owner of Dún Laoghaire Harbour, regarding the possibility of leasing berthage for exclusive use by the Naval Service. The Naval Service have also been engaged with technical experts from the local authority regarding the requirements associated with the operation of this berthage. In that regard, further consultation has taken place in recent weeks, and these technical discussions will be completed imminently. Once all technical issues are addressed, the negotiations regarding the berthage will be completed as soon as possible.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if, in light of the historical twinning of LÉ Eithne with Dún Laoghaire harbour, and the award of the honorary freedom of entry to its crew in 2017, he will consider twinning the new multi-role vessel with Dún Laoghaire upon its entry into service as the future flagship of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that it is normal practice for the Minister of the day to approve the twinning of a Naval Service vessel with a coastal city or town when the vessel is commissioned and has come into service on foot of recommendations from the Naval Service. It is too early to comment on prospective twinning arrangements at this point in time.