Matt Carthy
Ceist:218. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the number of naval vessels that can currently be put to sea simultaneously; and the number required under level of ambition 2. [12472/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 February 2026
Ceisteanna (218)
Freagraí scríofa
The Naval Service is the State's principal sea-going agency tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks including maritime surveillance, drug interdiction, search and rescue, maritime defence and security operations (MDSO).
The Defence Forces routinely monitor activity within the Irish EEZ, utilising both Naval Service and Air Corps assets. In addition to at-sea patrols, the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline carries out remote monitoring of the Irish EEZ on a 24/7 basis.
The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron also carry out aerial surveillance of the Irish EEZ using C295 maritime patrol aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment.
The 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. Level of Ambition (LOA) 2 as outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) Report, includes a recommendation for a programme of naval vessel replacements, to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships.