asked the Minister for Defence the number and specification of sea-going protective vessels at present in service with the Irish Naval Service.

41.

asked the Minister for Defence if it is the intention of his Department to acquire new vessels to replace or add to the present vessels in the Naval Service.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 41 together.

The number and specification of the fishery protection vessels of An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh are as indicated in the reply given by my predecessor on the 5th November, 1964, to a similar question by the Deputy.

No decision has been taken on the question of acquiring new vessels to replace or add to the present vessels of An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh.

Could the Minister tell us how many of these vessels are seaworthy?

The three of them can go to sea.

Can they come back?

Would the Minister not agree that these are the most obsolete fighting ships afloat in any navy in the world today?

There may be differences of opinion on that. The boats are seaworthy.

Can the Minister tell the House at what speed these ships can go?

Deputy T. Lynch did not ask that question, but they travel at 12 to 16 knots per hour.

Are they not the slowest ships afloat today?

I do not think so.

Will the Minister tell us if he is satisfied that these three vessels will be able to protect our fisheries?

I am not satisfied.

Since the Minister is not satisfied, will he tell us if he is prepared to take immediate steps to have modern vessels purchased for the protection of our fisheries?

That is a separate question. It is not included in the original question the Deputy asked.

It will be included on the Minister's Estimate which, I believe, will be coming up in a couple of days.

That is the Estimate that has already been disposed of here.

You might as well have the "Santa Maria."