Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
119. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Defence the current operational naval capacity available to monitor and secure Ireland’s maritime area, including patrol days, vessel availability and staffing levels, in order to protect critical national infrastructure at sea; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71898/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. The Naval Service have completed 521 patrol days this year up to the end of November 2025, which exceeds the total patrol days completed in 2024. In addition to at sea monitoring, the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline carries out remote monitoring twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
The strength of the Naval Service as of 31 October 2025, the latest date for which data is available, is 784 WTE.
