Tánaiste Micheál Martin unveils new Naval Service vessels and confirms extension of the Sea-going Naval Personnel Tax Credit

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin T.D., today (4 September 2024) hosted the naming and commissioning ceremonies of two new Naval Service vessels, L.É. Aoibhinn and L.É. Gobnait, in Haulbowline.

At the ceremony, the Tánaiste also announced that the Sea-going Naval Personnel Tax Credit will be extended for a further five years.

The Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “L.É. Aoibhinn and L.É. Gobnait will play a vital role in safeguarding our nation’s security and, given the times we now live in, they will contribute to the national effort of protecting our critical infrastructure. I know these vessels and their crews stand ready to continue the hugely important work of our Naval Service.

These ships are yet another demonstration of the Government's ongoing commitment to the modernisation of our Defence Forces, by investing in improved equipment, infrastructure, facilities and people.

I am also pleased to confirm that I have received agreement to extend the Sea-going Naval Personnel Tax Credit for a further five years, reflecting Government’s ongoing commitment to addressing recruitment and retention challenges in the Naval Service.”

The Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) introduce new electronic warfare and intelligence gathering capabilities to the fleet, bolstering the Naval Service ability to adapt to the ever-changing maritime environment.

The ships will replace the now decommissioned L.É. Orla and L.É. Ciara. They are highly manoeuvrable and can reach speeds of up to 25 knots.

The IPVs have a lesser crewing requirement than the ships they replace, requiring 26 personnel to fully crew each ship. Using two RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) both ships can undertake boarding operations and surveillance.

The IPVs were purchased from the New Zealand Government and reoriented to specific Irish Naval Service requirements, overseen by the Irish Naval Service and the Department of Defence.

The vessels have fully automated control and navigations system, modern communications and surveillance systems and comfortable accommodation. This will provide the Naval Service with an enhanced capacity to operate and undertake patrols in the Irish Sea on the East and South East Coast.

ENDS

Note for the Editors on names.

The long standing practice for naming of ships for the Irish Naval Service has been that the names of Naval Vessels should, in the first instance, be selected from those of female mythological and historical personages, and with the prefix L.É. (Long Éireannach- Irish ship).

Aoibhinn can be interpreted as – “radiant beauty”. Many versions of the name exist, including the Anglicised version, Eavan. Eavan Boland (1944-2020) was an accomplished figure in Irish literature.

Gobnait (5th/6th Century A.D.) can be interpreted as “bringer of joy”. Ancient folklore suggests a holy woman from the Munster region who was the patron saint of beekeepers and metal workers.