Two new naval ships unveiled in Cork today aim to bring “versatility” and “flexibility” to Ireland’s defence capabilities, the Tánaiste has said.

Inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) L.É. Aoibhinn and L.É. Gobna were officially commissioned today at Haulbowline, an island in Cork Harbour, and can reach speeds of 25 knots.

They were purchased from New Zealand and require 26 personnel to fully crew each ship.

'Versatility'

Speaking in Cork today, Tánaiste Micheál Martin welcomed their commissioning.

“I think they provide greater versatility and flexibility to our naval service,” he said.

“I've just spoken to the crew there; they're very happy with the ships, and those who have been out on the L.É. Aoibhinn described it as a very effective ship.

“Smaller crew, but they have a motto around that: ‘more effective and stronger’ in terms of their deployment.”

The two ships commissioned today. Image: Jamie O'Hara/Newstalk

He said we’re in an era of “unprecedented” spending within the Defence Forces.

“The issue now is capacity to procure, capacity to develop, and we've changed how we're doing capital investment,” he said.

“I referenced the need for a master plan for this entire site so that we know exactly what we're going to do here for the next 10 years in terms of capital development.”

Recruitment and retention

The Tánaiste also shared positive news regarding recruitment and retention issues affecting the Defence Forces.

“I think we're making progress this year and it could be a turning point in terms of the stabilisation of numbers,” he said.

“We would hope, perhaps, that we would have a net increase in terms of the intakes, which is turning it around a bit - but we have a long way to go yet - and the doubling of the duty patrol allowance has raised morale at the base here.”

Methodology

He also noted changes in “recruitment methodology.”

“We’ve outsourced; we’ve gone to tender now in terms of outsourcing recruitment capacity, specifically for the naval service,” he said.

“There’s a continuing issue in terms of specialists, where industry is, if you like, poaching a lot of expertise, and that’s something we’re not alone in - it’s happening in militaries across the globe.”

The government has allocated €1.23 billion for defence spending this year.

Main image: The Tanaiste in Cork today for the commissioning ceremony. Image: Jamie O'Hara/Newstalk