asked the Minister for Defence if adequate facilities and equipment are available to carry out maintenance and annual overhaul operations on the recently acquired naval patrol vessels LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla; if not, whether consideration has been given to purchasing suitable equipment to enable such work to be carried out; if such work will be carried out outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Limerick West): Normal maintenance of naval vessels and repairs to ancillary equipment are undertaken at the Naval Dockyard, Haulbowline, where adequate facilities and equipment are available. Drydocking and major repairs are carried out in commercial dockyards within the State following the invitation of competitive tenders.

It is planned to continue these arrangements in regard to LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla.