Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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492. To ask the Minister for Finance the plans the Department has for the two Revenue Customs vessels, the RCC Suirbhéir and the RRC Faire, once they cease operations. [44693/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Revenue have advised that following a procurement process, a contract for the delivery of a new Revenue Customs Cutter was signed with AuxNaval in August 2023. The new vessel, RCC Cosaint, was delivered ahead of schedule in August 2025 and is currently engaged in training and familiarisation exercises in transition to active patrol duties.

RCC Cosaint will replace RCC Suirbhéir which is in service since 2004. Once RCC Cosaint has been transitioned to full active service, Revenue intends to put the RCC Suirbhéir up for sale on the open market as it has now reached the end of its service life. The second Customs Cutter, RCC Faire, has an estimated service life which extends to 2029 and, as such, will remain in active service. The contract with AuxNaval includes an option for a second Cutter, which could be a replacement for RCC Faire in time.

RCC Cosaint and RCC Faire, will be operated by Revenue’s Maritime Unit (RMU), which has responsibility for patrolling Ireland's 3,173 kilometres of coastline.