3 New Navy Vessels for Irish Naval Service

forgot to mention, there's enough people in those yacht clubs with the connections needed for this story to slide into history un-noticed.

I can see it being used as a logistics point, which it semi is being used as at the moment, on the old mail boat pier, or across the way, but full on naval development, will be tough to win over.

Not sure if this is possabile but how about the defence forces take the pigeon house hotel. If Brugha goes and ans there is a need for some sort of small Dublin Brigade that could do similar role to the one in syria on the south side they could take the land around pigon house hotel and build a new base and have it as a joint base with the navy as it has quay access that maybe suitable for the NZ navy boats if they buy them and secure

In 1961 when the Navy entered DunLaoghaire they went to the Historic permanent Naval Buoy in the middle of the fairway. The buoy was there from RN days at the Harbour. Additionally Defence had property and mooring for it's two whalers belonging to Dublin No.1 and no.2 Companies Slua Muiri. When the development of the HSS Ferry was muted , the Navy were allocated the East Pier berth which could only be used in suitable weather conditions in westerly sectors. This was assigned as the NAVAL PIER in exchange for removal of the Naval Buoy. It seems to me the Navy have a historic claim on DunLaoghaire and wouldn't Captain Bligh be delighted to see his harbour in use by NS.

There was a suggestion that the P40 replacements would go there. Presumably being smaller would get in and out easier. Time will tell.

How about Wicklow town....or even Greystones or Rosslare for that matter?

It is not the function of the state to fund any port it uses for its vessels. The facilities are being offered to the NS by Irish Lights. At present the logistics of such a decision remain complex. Are you going to have a ship using DL as it's base with a crew aboard when not at sea? If not, where do you de-arm it and who is responsible for its security when there is nobody aboard?

Otherwise, any time a ship visits, it pays the same fees as anyone else.

The state did not wash its hands of DL, the many leisure boat users forced out the only vessel that was profitable working from the port. The State is neither Stena or Irish Ferries. Worth noting that unless it changed very Recently, the company once known as British Rail owned a considerable share in Rosslare Port.

The State, i.e the DoD have owned Haulbowline "port" since 1938.

The State does not operate any commercial ports in Ireland.

If you can't see the difference between a privately operated harbour and a military headquarters, unfortunately I have no answers for you.

Despite all the views expressed, coupled with the Governments own reclassification of ports and using Local Authorities for Non Tier-One ports, the responsibility for a ports future and existence lies with the legislators through various Harbour Acts. The principle oversight is though the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) reporting to the Department of Transport Marine Office. The State owns a range of ports such as those classified as Fishery harbours but must allow for the future development and relevance of all harbours and associated facilities.

The Navy is a critical case as it must expand outside of Cork harbour and have at least two more ports of refuge and strategic deployment. Nine operational ships cannot operate conveniently from a Dockyard basin and one oil wharf. A naval installation needs security as pointed out but unfortunately that also implies exclusivity.

DL overtime has been vandalised by neglecting it's viable future, little support from it's big neighbour, and infrastructural changes that made it unsuitable as a ferry port. The HSS idea failed partially because of defects in the craft in use.

What about Bere Island/Castletownbere? Used to be used by the RN for large capital ships,

Presumably could be used again?

Ah well...this has been an interesting conversation. Way I read it is there ain't anthin really suitable in its present shape unless some money was spent on it...New jetty and storage / barracks etc. Not an impossible feat of engineering for the nation that built Ardnacrusha Hydo power station gettin on a century ago. 10 mill should do it.

The Lake Class ships are going to Dun Laoghaire when acquired, I have it from the horses mouth.

Local FG in Dun Laoghaire were distinctly unimpressed when on dissolution of the Harbour Company, the considerable debt it left behind was transferred onto the balance sheet of the DLR County Council, along with the headache of considerable and urgent remedial work to many of the harbour piers and structures.

It is now the case that those in Government are seen to owe Dun Laoghaire one, as they say, which means directing as much investment as possible in the direction of the Harbour and its facilities, and so far being identified as a naval station and before long, a publicly owned national centre for marine leisure pursuits and competitions.

Apart from the fact Dun Laoghaire is ideally located at the midpoint of the Irish Sea coast and the perfect spot for a sea fisheries inspection base. There will be a pleasant circularity to it returning to full time naval activity after the Harbour's first 130 or so years as an important Royal Navy station.

What is the plan for fuel, Accomadation, security and weapons will they get building that will provide a base at the harbour or will they be driving in and out of cathal brugha with the gear?. Also long term that will be an issue as cathal brugha will be closing without a shaddow of a douth