asked the Minister for Defence where ships and marine equipment used by the Irish Navy are now being repaired; the number that have been repaired since the closure of Verolme Dockyard; and his future plans for this line of work.

Normal maintenance of Naval vessels and repairs to ancillary equipment are undertaken at the Naval dockyard, Haulbowline. Dry-dockings and major repairs are carried out in commercial dockyards within the State following the invitation of competitive tenders.

Since December 1984 when Verolme Cork Dockyard Ltd. went into liquidation Naval vessels were dry-docked at commercial yards on six occasions. In this period routine repair work was also carried out at the Naval dockyard. It is planned to continue these arrangements for the foreseeable future.

Have Naval ships been repaired in the Verolme Dockyard in the past?

Dry-dockings are done by way of competitive tender. Between 1980 and 1984 22 dry-dockings took place but only seven were successfully tendered for by Verolme Cork Dockyard.

Since the closure of Verolme Cork Dockyard, have the ships been repaired outside the country?

No ships have been dry-docked outside the country. Ships have been dry-docked with various firms in Dublin. Between 1980 and 1984 when Verolme Cork Dockyard was in being, only seven of 22 dry-dockings were successfully tendered for by that dockyard.

What arrangements are the Department making to ensure that any repairs necessary to a Naval vessel will be carried out in this country?

The Deputy was not listening to me.

I apologise, I was a little late coming into the Chamber.

All dry-dockings done since the closing of Verolme Cork Dockyard have been done at other dockyards in this country.

And will continue to be done?

They are a matter of competitive tendering but I presume the dockyards which have been successfully tendering up to now will continue to do so.

Would the Minister agree that it would be in the interests of the State to ensure that all repairs are done in this country and that tenders would be invited from Irish contractors only?

One would like to see an Irish tender being the successful one but having regard to our obligations as a member of the Community, we cannot impose any nationalistic restrictions.