Use of Dún Laoghaire harbour for Naval Service under discussion

Preliminary talks on potentially using Dún Laoghaire harbour as a new east-coast base for the Naval Service have taken place between the Department of Defence and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The Cabinet in recent days approved plans for a major increase in military spending, with the annual defence budget forecast to reach at least €1.9 billion by 2028 allowing for the recruitment about 6,000 extra troops.

The investment follows the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which reported in February that the military was not equipped to perform its tasks.

The plans commit in principle to accelerating the programme of replacing Naval Service ships with the aim of having a nine-ship navy by the early 2030s. Each of these ships would be double crewed to ensure they could spend a minimum of 220 days at sea per year.

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A spokesman for the county council said “very initial discussions” had taken place with the department within the last 12 months in relation to the potential use of the harbour for a naval base, though there had yet to be detailed engagement.

The council could “potentially” support the development of naval facilities, he said: “However, there are a number of competing requirements and demands within what is a relatively small harbour, so it would be important that any proposal for a naval base would not compromise any existing or proposed alternative harbour activity.”

Dún Laoghaire-based senator Barry Ward said the harbour would be ideal for an east-coast base of naval operations.

“The Irish Sea is not only an Irish border but a European one as well and one that needs to be properly and effectively patrolled. There is a real opportunity for the navy now to put a base of operations in Dún Laoghaire.”

The port is accessible at all times and has a central location ideal for patrolling the whole Irish Sea, Mr Ward said. The move would also help revitalise Dún Laoghaire, and particularly the underutilised harbour.

“Since the ferry stopped in 2015, the harbour has not just been underutilised, but neglected, but that means here is no is no substantial commercial traffic that might interrupt naval operations.”

While an objective analysis of Dún Laoghaire’s potential as a naval base would be needed, Mr Ward said he believed it was an “unparalleled location” for the facility.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Colm Brophy, responding to Mr Ward on behalf of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney, said while a commitment could not currently be made on establishing a naval base of operations for the east coast “this may be considered in the future”.