asked the Minister for Defence if he is now in a position to give the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 18 June 1980; if these vessels are Irish designed; and the foreign participation, if any, there has been in this project.

23.

asked the Minister for Defence when work will commence at Verolme Dockyard, Cork on the new naval vessels.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together. While the detailed specifications have not, as yet, been fully completed the principal characteristics of the two new helicopter bearing vessels for the Naval Service which have already been decided are as follows:—

The specifications will be finalised as quickly as possible and it is expected that an order will be placed shortly thereafter.

Extensive investigations were carried out to determine the optimum design of vessel suited to conditions in our waters. My Department, the Naval Service, Irish Shipping and a number of external agencies have contributed to the development of the design.

Do we own the design of these vessels? Can we sell it to other countries? Is there foreign participation here in the design of these vessels?

We have gone to considerable trouble to get the best available knowledge on this design. It has affected the starting date of the vessel. This is the first helicopter-bearing vessel to be built for the Naval Service.

That does not answer my question. Do we own the design or can we sell it to other countries?

I do not know. I would say that we are certainly paying for the design and therefore we own it. I am not certain whether we can sell it again or not.

I take it that that means we can sell it to other countries.

I honestly do not know. I do not think the question arises anyway.

The question arises out of Question No. 22.

Why is it that, although the Minister has said he wanted to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together, he has not answered Question No. 23?

I have replied to it.

I must have missed that.

I can read the whole answer again if the Deputy thinks that would be helpful.

I simply want to know the date on which the work will commence.

I will read the whole answer again.

Would the Minister just tell me the date the work will commence? If the Minister mentioned that, I missed it. I am sorry.

It is not possible to say when the work will commence. They are still not finished preparing it, but it will be as soon as possible.

A final supplementary.

Would the Minister agree that talks about these two vessels for the Cork dockyard have been going on in his Department for the past 12 months and every time the matter is raised in this House the answer from the Minister is "as soon as possible"? Would the Minister agree that unless an order is given very shortly to the dockyard 300 people will be laid off on 1 January? That being so, will the Minister ensure that an order is given to the dockyard before the end of the week?

I assure the Deputy in all sincerity that steps have been taken to ensure that the future of the dockyard is safeguarded.

Question No. 24.

This dockyard cannot survive on the verbosity of Fianna Fáil. It needs orders.

I assure Deputy Barry that he will see the launching of the vessel.

24.