Concern as strength of Naval  Service falls to new low of 722

Tanaiste Micheal Martin Martin said that the first of two inshore patrol vessels, purchased from New Zealand at a cost of €32m, will become operational next month.

The strength of the Irish Naval Service has fallen to a new low of 722, official figures show.

The figure suggests the staffing crisis in the Naval Service could be levelling off and is just three fewer than in 2023.

Figures revealed by Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin show that the strength of the Naval Service has collapsed in the last five years, dropping from 936 in 2019, to 875 in 2021 and to 798 in 2022.

Mr Martin said that as well as general service recruitment campaigns for the Defence Forces there are eight direct-entry competitions for the Naval Service and three Naval Service cadetship competitions.

In response to a question from Sinn Féin's defence spokesman Matt Carthy, the Tánaiste said a marine recruitment specialist company has also been contracted to target individuals with specific skills required by the Naval Service, such as engineering.

Mr Martin said that the maximum recruitment age has been increased to 39 for those roles that had a recruitment age below that and to 50 for direct entry officer specialists.

He said that, from last January, the patrol duty allowance has been doubled (from €65 to €131) for those at sea longer than ten days.

In addition rates of pay for new recruits had also improved, starting at €39,321, rising to €42,005 by year three.

He said private secondary medical care had also been extended to all personnel.

Separate figures show that 1,546 people attended interviews for the Defence Forces in 2023 and to end of March 2024 and that so far 563 have been inducted.

The Naval Service is conducting visits to different parts of the country as part of its recruitment campaign and the LÉ George Bernard Shaw was docked on Albert Quay in Cork city over the May bank holiday weekend just gone.

Of the six navy patrol vessels, two are operational, with one on patrol at any given time and a third ship is on standby.

Mr Martin said that the first of two inshore patrol vessels, purchased from New Zealand at a cost of €32m, will become operational next month.

He said €20m was spent refurbishing accommodation at Naval Service HQ at Haulbowline, Cork, with a new €6m gym due to come on stream in 2026.

Sinn Féin deputy for Louth Ruairí Ó Murchú said the Naval Service is only able to put “a single ship to sea” at any one time and that it had “no subsea monitoring capabilities”.

He said that 75% of the subsea cables in the northern hemisphere – allowing for internet use and the flow of crucial political and financial information across the Atlantic – pass through or near Irish controlled waters.

In response to a separate query on air security, posed by independent TD for Kildare and former Army officer Cathal Berry, Mr Martin said the current air defence radar system and missile system was “approaching obsolescence”.

The Tánaiste said the development of a new air defence system was “a key priority” and cited the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

The commission’s report, published in February 2022, said the development of a primary radar capability “should be an immediate and top priority”.

Mr Martin said the delivery of air defence was “both costly and extremely complex and will take some time to deliver” but that its delivery was prioritised by the Government.