Minister must clarify Naval Service remarks – Chambers

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Defence, Jack Chambers TD, has called on the Minister for Defence to clarify remarks in which he accused a number of media outlets of inaccurate reporting in relation to the indefinite docking of two Naval ships.

Deputy Chambers explained, “It was recently reported that the Naval Service had taken the LÉ Eithne, and LÉ Orla out of service because it doesn’t have the manpower to operate them. Following these reports Minister Kehoe accused the media of inaccurate reporting and said the ships were out of service for routine maintenance.

“I find it hard to believe he would make such an accusation given that a letter sent to all Naval Service personnel by a Senior Defence Forces member said the ships ‘would remain tied up until crew numbers improve’. Added to that the fact that the Defence Forces press office confirmed that the ships were docked due to manpower issues and again we see a Minister at complete odds with his own personnel.

“In the letter the Commanding Flag Officer highlighted that there is an establishment strength of six and a half for nine ships so the basic facts regarding the retention crisis is very clear. How can the Minister continue to pretend that nine ships are potentially operational when these facts highlight that manpower impossibility? The Minister should listen to his senior staff instead of dismissing their concerns in his ongoing denial of the retention crisis in the Defence Forces.

“We also know that the maintenance schedules are well planned and that in the case of at least one of the ships this was not due to take place until September. To make matters worse, the Minister tried to bolster his argument by dragging the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mellett into the matter via Twitter – a very distasteful move.

“Regardless of the Minister’s comments, one thing is for sure, unless there is an improvement in recruitment and retention in the Naval Forces, ships will not be able to go to sea. The Fine Gael Government has allowed the numbers serving in the Naval Service to fall to their lowest level in almost a decade – with only 989 personnel currently serving.

“Morale within the Defence Forces has been eroded. We regularly hear stories of troops and Naval Service personnel struggling to pay for their mortgages and basic necessities because their pay levels are so low. It is one of a number of issues which has led to a crisis in retention. I’d like to see the Minster put as much energy into addressing these issues as he has in trying to defend his appalling record”, concluded Deputy Chambers.