THE GOVERNMENT has been accused of placing Naval Service lives “at risk” by postponing replacement of ageing patrol vessels.
PDforra, the association representing Defence Force soldiers, sailors and aircrew, says any such postponement “creates serious issues for the Naval Service”. Holes have been discovered in the hulls of two vessels, PDforra says, and almost 30 per cent of the fleet is nearly 30 years old, according to deputy general secretary Simon Devereux. The Department of Defence has denied any decision has been taken on postponement, and says negotiations are “continuing” in the context of the Budget Estimates.
“The LE Emer was recently in dry-dock to repair a large series of holes to the hull which had developed as a result of age,” Mr Devereux said. “The LE Aoife is now dry-docked in Cork to investigate what appears to be an identical problem. There are also concerns among the crews about the impact of ageing on the LE Aisling, which was built at the same time as LE Emer and LE Aoife.
“PDforra is concerned that this deferred replacement decision has implications for the health and safety of Naval Service crews who spend long periods of time operating on the harsh seas of the Atlantic,” he said.
The commitment to replace two ships, with an option of a third, had been made by Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea. Last month, he said he was hopeful of replacing the LE Emer and LE Aoife, and “some very attractive offers” had been made in the tender procedure.
Earlier this month, he said the original replacement programme was to have run from 2008 to 2012, but the earliest a new vessel could be delivered now would be 2012 or “possibly early 2013” and this was “subject to Government approval on funding”.
This would mean the lifespan of the current vessels would be “extended” as they would not be replaced until they were in service for “at least 34 years”, Mr O’Dea said in a written Dáil answer to Fine Gael TD Damien English.
The new Programme for Government states “the Naval Service Vessel replacement programme will be advanced within the resources made available by Government”. The debate over the state of the fleet comes as new Common Fisheries Policy control measures agreed by EU member states will put greater pressure on enforcement by the Naval Service. The system, which extends to landings and sales of fish, will include a “penalty point” system .
It has been welcomed by Minister of State for Fisheries Tony Killeen as giving Irish fishermen “confidence that there is real intent, and the necessary tools in place, to address illegal fishing in the waters around our coast”.