268. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Defence to provide the total numbers of naval patrol days undertaken each quarter for the previous five years; the initiatives she and her Department are undertaking to increase patrols; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62552/26]

The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight commissioned vessels. I am advised by the military authorities that there are four vessels available for operations and regularly deployed on Maritime Defence and Security Operations on a rotation basis. The operational availability of Naval Service vessels is managed through a strategic rotation which takes account of maintenance, crew training and rest periods. This approach ensures a continuous and sustainable naval presence in Irish waters.

In 2025 we saw the benefit of a number of initiatives which have been introduced in recent years, such as the doubling of patrol duty allowance payable. As a result of these initiatives we have seen the number of patrol days completed by the Naval Service in 2025 increase by over 35% on the outputs from 2024.

I would like to reassure the Deputy that the regeneration of the Naval Service is one of my key priorities as Minister for Defence. So too is it a priority for the Defence Forces. This reflects the commitment made in the Programme for Government, and is reinforced in the actions required under the Strategic Framework 2026, which I published on 10 February 2026.

To that end, I have had detailed discussions with the Chief of Staff on the need to have a Regeneration Report submitted on the Naval Service. This report is in the process of being completed and will have an action plan against which progress will be measured.

The table below details the total number of patrol days undertaken in each quarter for the past five years;