IRISH NAVY not in SHIPSHAPE
Falling sailor numbers force vital patrols to be axed
THE Irish Navy had to cancel patrols almost every other day last month as more personnel quit.
From New Year’s Day until January 26, 12 patrols were ditched with staff shortages and the bad weather blamed.
But it now only has four ships to patrol the biggest maritime area in the EU after the LE Niamh and the LE Roisin were taken out of service.
It had nine vessels just 18 months ago. The number of sailors has fallen by 294 to the current strength of 800 with many blaming poor pay and too many long hours at sea for leaving.
Last night Sinn Fein defence spokesman John Brady TD claimed national security is now at risk because we are unable to police Ireland’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone in the Atlantic.
He said: “We are rapidly approaching the point of no return, from which the Permanent Defence Forces can not recover.
“The understaffing is placing incredible strains on remaining members. One member of the naval service has reported that in one year alone they spent 320 days onboard.”
He accused the Government of failing to implement the recommendations of the recently published Report by the Commission into the Future of the Defence Forces.
Defence Minister Micheal Martin confirmed the cancellation of the 12 patrol days.
He said: “I acknowledge the current staffing difficulties in the Naval Service are very serious.
“I have received a briefing from the military management and met them on their recruitment strategy for 2023. Recruitment was notably slower last year than previous years.”
Mr Martin said a decision was taken that the LE Roisin should be placed into operational reserve with effect from January 31 as should the LE Niamh after its refit is completed this year.
He added: “The situation is not good now in terms of the naval service. The numbers are simply too low. We need a radical look at the whole organisation in terms of recruitment and retention.
“We need to stand back and do everything we possibly can to arrest this decline.”
The Navy’s main role is to carry out a fishery protection service for the EU and to patrol all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone.
They also help hunt down drug traffickers and are tasked to protect the underwater internet cables connecting Ireland and Europe with the rest of the world.