Matt Carthy
Ceist:107. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which it is intended to procure a new multi-role vessel with the capability of carrying a helicopter. [28128/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 July 2024
Ceisteanna (107)
Freagraí scríofa
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 (EDP) 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 includes 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 Advisors have been appointed to support the procurement of a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) to replace the now decommissioned flagship, LÉ Eithne. 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. Work is currently underway that will inform next steps.
I remain committed to ensuring the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service, are equipped to carry out the roles assigned to them by Government.