EPV for naval service

[na grohmiti]

They'll probably have to have the stern ramps fabricated in scotland using only british steel. Adding 2 years to the build time.

[na grohmiti]

Thursday, 21 March 2024

Questions (12)


Cathal Berry

Cathal Berry

Question:

12. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the proposed procurement of a multi-role vessel for the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13281/24]
View answer Oral answers (6 contributions)

Deputy Cathal Berry


I would be grateful if the Tánaiste could update the House on the situation pertaining to the proposed procurement of a multi-role vessel for the Naval Service and if he could make a statement on that matter.

Deputy Micheál Martin


I thank the Deputy for raising the question. In fairness, the Deputy has an eagle eye on equipment and opportunities for the Defence Forces.

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. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and equipment development planning processes.

The detailed implementation plan for the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published in November 2023. It builds on the publication of the commission report itself in February 2022, the high-level action plan in July 2022 and the early actions update published in March 2023. This plan sets out an ambitious programme of work to move to level of ambition 2, known as LOA2, by 2028 and the significant and fundamental change for the Defence Forces that will be delivered across the commission's recommendations.

The commission's recommendations for the move to LOA2 include the recommendation for an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement, to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships is reached by early in the next decade.

In this regard, marine advisers have been appointed to support the procurement of a multi-role vessel, MRV, to replace the now decommissioned flagship, LÉ Eithne. This procurement is being conducted in line with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's new infrastructural guidelines, which have replaced the public spending code.

A prior information notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in January to advise the market of my Department's intention to run a tender competition to procure a MRV to replace the former flagship.

I remain committed to ensuring the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, are equipped to carry out the roles assigned to them by Government.

Deputy Cathal Berry


I very much welcome this proposed project for sure. The LÉ Eithne needs to be replaced. That is an absolute certainty.

Perhaps touching on what Deputy Ó Snodaigh said earlier on this morning, the LÉ Eithne was built in the Tánaiste's home county of Cork. It is a pity we cannot build more equipment here in this country because, as Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, ethical procurement is important. If we want to be assured of the traceability of equipment, the so-called bench to trench, we should probably be looking at setting up some kind of companies that can make some of the equipment that we need for ourselves and we can be sure of their credentials. I would emphasise, of course, that there is a shipyard on this island, in Belfast, namely, Harland & Wolff, and I very much hope that it applies for this tender when it is published.

It still looks as though we are talking about it being a good few years down the tracks before this ship comes into service. Is there an indicative date, or even year, of when we would expect this ship to come into naval service?

Deputy Micheál Martin


I agree with the Deputy. We are committed to ethical equipment procurement. It is the ideal. Also, in terms of an earlier question from Deputy Mick Barry, we need to procure ships, aircraft, equipment and weaponry. There is a need so there is a need for a defence industry. It seems there are mixed views about that in the House. There is almost a sense here that we should have no industry in Ireland at all but I take the Deputy's point. There was a time when we could, and did, construct and ship-build in this country. It was many decades ago. I take the Deputy's point in terms of Belfast and its capabilities. I generally agree with what the Deputy has just said there. In terms of the multi-role vessel, I cannot give the Deputy an exact timeline here. It is a major defence platform. One of the issues is we need to enhance our procurement capacity. I have said it, more generally, and we are doing that. We will only know the cost of the MRV once the tender competition is concluded and then, obviously, we will have to provide for it in terms of capital frameworks, etc. I do not have specific timelines yet but we have notified the EU.

Deputy Cathal Berry


I very much welcome this additional proposed hardware. We should always remember that is not a ship that makes the crew, it is the crew that makes the ship and crewing the ship is so important. As the Tánaiste knows, I always acknowledge progress. The doubling of the patrol duty allowance at the start of year is a help. The increase in the recruitment and retirement age is also a big help. According to a post on Twitter, I see that 33 new recruits started in Gormanston yesterday. I wish them well in their training. There is a maximum of 11 months left in this Dáil term. Does the Tánaiste see a turning around of Naval Service recruitment and retention in the next 11 months? Does he see an increase in numbers before the Thirty-third Dáil comes to a close?

Deputy Micheál Martin


My hope is that by the time this Dáil comes to a conclusion, the gap between induction and retirement will have been closed in the first instance and then hopefully there will be a net increase after that. I am concerned about the recruitment system within the Naval Service and Defence Forces and it needs to change. We brought in consultants from the private sector to examine recruitment processes and approaches. It is clear from the report that what we have is not optimal, to put it that way. We need to improve in this regard. The retirement initiative we recently introduced will help in terms of bridging the gap. The Deputy is correct regarding the 33 recruits who started yesterday. We are seeing progress. A specialist recruitment agency has been appointed with a view to recruiting specialists globally for certain key roles which are required within the Naval Service. Every effort is being made by the Naval Service, the Department and me to see what we can do to make sure that we increase the number of inductions and improve retention. The extension of the retirement age and the doubling of the patrol duty allowance will both play a significant role in this regard. We have moved on many fronts, as requested. Hopefully, that will result in an increase.


Naval Service – Thursday, 21 Mar 2024 – Parliamentary Questions (33rd Dáil) – Houses of the Oireachtas

[Turkey]

I've never seen a "we aren't going to do anything to replace anything." in such a long and meandering form before.

[na grohmiti]

I know. Its pitiful, at this stage.