3 New Navy Vessels for Irish Naval Service

Hard to know. I'm sure like in the Army, crew will be able to apply for postings or there may be a duty rotation to the east coast base for a specified time.

Given the size of the operation I don't think its likely there will be anyone assigned there full time.

In any case the Lake Class ships will be well in service before any east coast station is stood up at this stage.

Stands to reason. Apple proprietary products are always way more expensive.

Engineers seem to be the main issue, national service is usually short term, maybe a year, engineers are usually better staying on the vessel they are used to,a constant turnover of engineers is not a good idea.Are you proposing that engineers only have to do national service, surely not,or how do you see it working?

My model of national service would see two years compulsory national service for all citizens and qualifying residents of the State before age 30, irrespective of education level, job, parental status etc.

It wouldn't all have to be military, it could be in social and community service, paramedical, educational, sporting, charity, overseas aid and development work etc

Basically, every person would gain skills and experience that would enable them to give back throughout their lives. For those trained militarily, they could progress their technical studies through ongoing DF membership if they wish, and remain in reserve, serving maybe one month per year, until say, age 55.

I know its a massive piece of work and realistically it would have to be gradually introduced over a few decades, but there are many models internationally and I think it would be really good for Irish society, not least by integrating the work of the DF into everyday life.

But the overall point is, the World is getting less safe, more unequal, more divided. If every person growing up had exposure to how others live, to work alongside them and to be skilled to contribute in times of need and scarcity, like the epidemics, hospital crises, weather emergencies, movement of refugees, we'd all be better off than the cosseted and somewhat oblivious and feckless bunch the last couple of generations have become.

Basically all the reasons the Government are buying the MRV....

To be honest a Dedicated EU fisheries protection flotilla would be a better alternative. It’s mostly non Irish boats in the fishing grounds anyway.

Historically previous governments have neglected the sea & this government has neglected the sea & the people who crew the naval ships.

That all comes back to a reasonable and affordable standard of available housing.

We have none of that.

100% correct.

This is a big issue across the DF. Base housing for single and couple/family units alike ought to be a huge aspect of DF reform.

It could help address the attractiveness issue of a DF career in a big way and also contribute economically in considerable way to the local Community where quarters are located. Quite apart from being a brilliant Community itself.

The vision for this sort of wider thinking remains absent unfortunately.

Its very hard to attract people to Cork when rent prices are very expensive & limited.

I hope the TDS in the Dail start asking the hard questions during the next ministers questions.

If I was a Td these would be the questions I would be asking.

How many people are currently in the NS?

How many seagoing people are available for seagoing duties or at sea?

What are you doing to address the retention crisis in the NS? everything to date has failed.

Why is money being handed back to the government when it could be spent on increasing the Sea Pay? There are 4 operational ships out of 9.

Are you aware that Le Róisín is tied up?

Do you acknowledge there’s a crisis in the NS?

The minister should be getting a rough time because the government has neglected the DF. The likes of Cathal Berry should be ashamed of himself he’s been a cheerleader for the government and they are doing a terrible job

Lads things are not going to get better, I said this last year and nobody took note.

Cathal Berry has asked the important questions that is true.

He’s very well informed but he has voted for the government in no confidence motions. He said there was extra money for the defence budget and that’s why he supported the government at the time.

I’m very aware what goes on in the Dail I’m not stupid but we all know That the government are doing a terrible job in running all the departments Housing, Health, the gardai, cost of living and defence.

Maybe we need Sinn Fein in charge. I know the officers hate Sinn Fein but they couldn’t do any worse than the shower we have.

The government have done a terrible job with every department they have and I have had enough.

They have destroyed the DF. And people think they can fix the mess they created.

Niamh & Roisin would have been operational if the Fine Gael government actually addressed the real issues in the NS.

Bobo the clown would do a better job than the last 2 ministers of Defence.

Sinn Fein are not going to be the saviours if they get elected to power or any other party but they might do a better job and listen to Raco & Pdforra because the government are deaf.

I don’t have much confidence in FF either because the Tanaiste has a track record of spoofing.

What are ye on about, the first budget expansion towards LoA2 has already been introduced by the Govt?

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-41062598.html