asked the Minister for Defence the average number of naval vessels (a) at sea, (b) in port or out of service, and (c) under repair, at any given time, if he will outline the present condition of LE Banba, LE Fola, LE Gráinne and LE Setanta, if they are operational and, if so, when they will be withdrawn from service.

1. The average number of vessels at sea at any given time is three.

2. The average number in port or out of service at any given time, apart from LE Banda and LE Setanta, is two.

3. The average number under repair at any given time is one.

4. (a) The costal minesweeper LE Banda is at present out of service due to engine defects and the difficulty of obtaining spare parts; (b) The training and auxiliary vessel LE Setanta is at present being availed of for the provision of accommodation and the training of recruits at the Naval Base in Haulbowline. She is in need of a major overhaul; (c) The coastal minesweepers LE Feola and LE Gráinne are fully operational; (d) The three minesweepers and the training vessel, LE Setanta, are nearing the end of their useful lives but I have taken no decision as to when they will be withdrawn from service.

Will the Minister state how many of the vessels are at the end of their useful life? It appears that so far as equipment and vessels are concerned we are disimproving our position.

I do not agree with the Deputy. In fact, a vessel was delivered recently. The minesweepers LE Banda, Fola and Gráinne are nearing the end of their useful life but I have not yet taken a decision as to when they will be withdrawn. There are four vessels in the Deirdre class, one having been delivered recently.

If there was an emergency in the country and if the six naval vessels were called out, is the Minister satisfied we have enough personnel to man them?

Yes, just about enough.

34.