Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
148. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence if she will provide an update on the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendation to develop an accelerated programme of Naval Service vessel replacement to ensure a balanced fleet of nine modern ships by early in the next decade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 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 planning has recently commenced on a similar programme for the four P60 class vessels. The 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.
The Commission on the Defence Forces specifically recommended a programme of naval vessel replacement under Level of Ambition 2. This recommendation was accepted in principle by Government. As set out in the Update to the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces, decisions on the shape and timing of the Naval vessel replacement to ensure a balanced fleet by early in the next decade will be made and subsequently progressed from 2026 and beyond.
These decisions will be made in the context of the Capability Development Programme 2028 – 2040 which is under preparation in my Department and 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 also requested the Defence Forces to prepare a regeneration report 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.
Informed by these plans, decisions will be made on the composition of the balanced fleet of modern ships and the greater use of technologies. These decisions will also be informed by other relevant information, including the new National Maritime Security Strategy.
