New Irish naval vessel to be commissioned today

The new Irish naval vessel, LE James Joyce will be brought into commission today.

The Minister for Defence Simon Coveney will host the naming and commissioning ceremonies for the ship, which will be attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

This ship is the second of three being built by Babcock Marine in Devon for the Irish Naval Service.

The total cost of the programme is in the region of €200m.

The LE Samuel Beckett was commissioned in May of last year.