Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
277. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence the reason she has not prioritised the replacement of the Naval Service flagship LE Eithne, which was retired three years ago, while prioritising the replacement of Mowag Piranha armoured vehicles that were recently upgraded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3804/26]
View answer278. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence if she is concerned that the Naval Service may not see any new vessels commissioned over the next five to ten years, at a time when maritime security is a stated national priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3805/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 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 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 on the previous baseline of €1.1 billion. The revised capital allocations will enable targeted progression on key elements of Government commitments within LOA 2 objectives.
Capital investment in Defence primarily provides for the renewal, retention and acquisition of major defence equipment and infrastructural platforms. This expenditure enhances and supports military capabilities and therefore contributes to a more secure and resilient society.
As Defence capital expenditure is often atypical, with long lead-in times, the funding certainty now provided will support the internal Equipment Development Plan and Infrastructural Development Planning Frameworks.
The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended a programme of naval vessel replacement under Level of Ambition 2, to ensure a balanced fleet of a modern ships is reached early in the next decade, this has been accepted in principle by Government.
The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight commissioned vessels. These eight vessels consist of two P50 Class Large Patrol Vessels, four P60 Class Offshore Patrol Vessels and two P70 Inshore Patrol Vessels. Capital investment in the Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme is ongoing. The programme of works for the midlife refit and upgrade of the two P50 class vessels has been completed, and two P70 class Inshore Patrol Vessels purchased from the New Zealand Government were commissioned into State service as LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait in 2024.
A long-term Capability Development Programme 2028 to 2040 is under preparation in my Department which will identify and cost, at a high level, the capability requirements for the Defence Forces out to 2040 across all domains of operation, including the maritime and subsea domain. I have also requested the Defence Forces to prepare a Regeneration Plan for the Naval Service to address the challenges faced in recent years and to plot a path forward for the future direction of the Naval Service.
In finalising these plans, decisions will be made on the composition of the balanced fleet of modern ships, including decisions regarding the Multi-Role Vessel and the greater use of technologies. These decisions will also be informed by other relevant information, including the new National Maritime Security Strategy being developed which my Department has taken the lead on.
