€500k cost of South American naval trip under fire

THE chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee is to ask the Department of Defence why it has sanctioned a naval ship to undertake 12-week diplomatic trip to South America, which will cost an estimated €500,000.

Deputy Bernard Allen said he would be seeking an explanation from the Department of Defence officials the next time they come before his committee.

The FG deputy said, despite the cost in times of recession, he was concerned one of the navy’s newest ships will not be available for coastal patrols against drug importers and illegal fishing.