55 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Defence the number of vessels available to the Naval Service; if there is a full complement of personnel available for each vessel; the number and type of patrol undertaken by each vessel in each of the years from 1997 to 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/00]

The Naval Service is equipped with a total of eight vessels comprising one helicopter carrying vessel, five off shore patrol vessels and two coastal patrol vessels. At any given time there would generally be about half of these vessels on patrol. The new patrol vessel, the LE Roisín, was commissioned on 15 December, 1999 and became operational immediately afterwards. Consideration is also being given to the question of the purchase of another patrol vessel similar to the LE Roisín as a replacement for the LE Deirdre, which has completed almost 28 years in service.

The present policy of ongoing recruitment for enlistment in the Defence Forces, which I have approved, is designed to address the question of any shortfalls in personnel numbers in the Defence Forces, including the Naval Service and the Air Corps. I have already provided the House with specific details on this in the reply to a question this afternoon.