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Just Two Naval Ships Patrolling Irish Waters After Withdrawal Of More Vessels

Thursday, 24 August 2023 12:12

PDFORRA says the Naval service is in the midst of an existential crisis.

Concerns may be raised about the security of Irish territorial waters. 

Its after the Naval service withdrew a further two ships from service. 

A lack of crew is responsible and it means only two vessels are now patrolling Irish waters, raising fears at EU level of a lack of necessary security monitoring and fisheries enforcement. 

The lack of staffing also raises questions about what will happen to two new Naval ships recently bought from the New Zealand navy. 

General Secretary of PDFORRA, Mucklagh's Ger Guinan says there's an existential crisis within the Naval service:

In 2016, the navy had eight ships, but it was forced to cut the number due to personnel shortages.

The naval headcount has fallen below 800, with recruitment and retention continuing to be an issue.

PDFORRA President, Mark Keane, says change is needed:

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