asked the Minister for Defence the cost of the two new ships purchased by the Naval Services; whether the Naval Services have the personnel to man the ships; and, if not, if he will be recruiting new members for the Naval Services.

(Limerick West): An amount of £12.8 million is being included in a Supplementary Estimate on the Defence Vote, which will shortly come before the House, to cover the purchase of two Peacock class patrol vessels and some spares for the Naval Service.

The Naval Service has personnel to man the two vessels. I am making arrangements, however, to have 100 additional personnel recruited for the Naval Service to offset wastage in numbers and to meet the extra requirements for personnel arising from the acquisition of the vessels.

Can I take it that while these 100 personnel are being recruited and trained the ships in question will not actually be in active service? Where do the vessels come from and were they new when purchased?

(Limerick West): The vessels were purchased from the UK Government and they were not new when purchased. Will the Deputy repeat the other question, please?

What will the ships be doing while the Minister is looking for the extra 100 staff?

(Limerick West): They will be replacing the minesweepers, which were taken out of action some years ago, for offshore protection.

I welcome the fact that the Department have purchased the vessels, though basically it does not increase the number of vessels on patrol. Basically, it is a replacement?

(Limerick West): Yes.

Next question, please.

(Limerick West): The Deputy is correct but these two vessels are modern vessels, the most modern vessels that are available at present.

What age are they?

(Limerick West): I am not sure but I think they are three or four years old.

Because of the abnormal request for transfer from the Naval Service to Air Corps and infantry units, would the Minister consider a spread of the locations of these ships between the southern coast and the north-eastern coast?

(Limerick West): Yes, that will be considered.