Originally posted by A/TEL
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I disagree.
More likely that the need for an immediate OPV replacement for Emer cannot wait for the extra length of time it would take to Build this Larger ship. Emer, as you well know, is showing every sign of her 30 years in service. However, Aoife and Aisling are slightly different in design and do not seem to be experiencing the same frequent difficulties Emer does.
Instead, Lets get external consultants in to spot any snags we might miss to avoid a repeat of Roisin's difficulties. Lets Build a larger variant of a proven design as soon as possible to Have an effective timely replacement for Emer. Then take our time in Building a vessel which will be expected to replace Aisling, which is not due for retirement until 2010 at the earliest. Modern shipyards are turning out ships in an average of 18 months. Pushing a tender date back a few months only removes possible procurement confusion.
If anything the delay can mean the DoD are willing to do this right, rather than rush a decision, and end up with something that is ultimately unsuitable for its proposed role.
Comparisons to the AC tender are unfair. That went west due to someone in the Government putting his constituency before the legalities of the tender process, and offering offsets to Sikorsky, Via the US Ambassador. If it had gone ahead, EHI and Eurocopter would have been well within their rights to sue the Irish government for an embarassing amount.
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