Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of naval vessels that can currently simultaneously be put to sea; and the number required under level of ambition 2. [60466/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight vessels. Four of the vessels are regularly deployed on Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO). These four vessels consist of three P60 class vessels as well as the L.É. Aoibhinn (P71) with all four vessels conducting patrols on a rotation basis.

Level of Ambition (LOA) 2 as outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) Report, includes a recommendation for an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacements, to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships.