Tánaiste wants Dún Laoghaire berths for navy’s inshore patrol vessels

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin, right, has instructed officials in his department to enter into discussions with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to secure berthage space in Dún Laoghaire harbour for the two inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) recently commissioned at the Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork.

The ‘Report of the Commission on Defence Forces’ has called for the development of an east-coast base for the naval service.

The department said securing the berthage facilities in Dún Laoghaire will support the operational activity of the LÉ Aoibhinn (P71) and the LÉ Gobnait (P72), particularly in patrolling the east coast.

Operating base

While IPVs can operate from Haulbowline, it is a strategic goal of the Defence Forces to develop a forward operating base on the east coast.

Officials in the Department of Defence will now engage with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to agree on the terms for the use of Carlisle Pier over the short term, the department said.

A detailed business case is currently being developed by the Defence Forces for the longer-term naval service presence to cover the coastal area, it added.

LÉ Aoibhinn and the LÉ Gobnait, formerly HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, were purchased from the New Zealand government and reoriented to specific Irish Naval Service requirements, overseen by the service and the Department of Defence.

The IPVs are tasked with a variety of roles, from fishery protection to maritime surveillance, and other defence duties.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony last month, the tánaiste described it as an “important occasion”.

“Today’s commissioning of these versatile and important vessels is an important step forward in our efforts to safeguard our nation’s security and protect our critical infrastructure,” he said.

“Put simply, today is a milestone for our naval service.”