Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the recent article in a publication (details supplied) regarding the future of the multi-role vessel project; the project timelines; whether he is satisfied that the project can be progressed under the recent national development plan capital allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47813/25]

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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186. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on the multirole frigate programme of the Naval Service. [49026/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 186 together.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. The acquisition, modernisation and upgrade of Defence Forces equipment are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.

The Commission on the Defence Forces specifically recommended an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement, to ensure a balanced fleet is reached by early in the next decade. This recommendation has been accepted in principle by Government and as such work is underway to consider and inform next steps.

The progression of projects on the Equipment Development Plan will be managed within the allocated capital funding and in line with the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines. The capital funding of €1.7 billion allocated to Defence in the latest National Development Plan covering the period 2026 to 2030 represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. This increased funding will enable progress across a range of priority Defence equipment upgrade and replacement programmes over the coming years.