Department of Defence

All correspondence, communications and messages, both internal and external, including with the Defence Forces, relating to a press query sent to the Department of Defence and Defence Forces press office on August 9th, 2019. The query read: Good afternoon, I have two queries I was hoping you could help me with. 1-The first relates to the current status of the Le Eithne and Le Orla. I know both are undergoing maintenance. Has any decision been taken on whether they will be on patrol once this has finished? Have enough new personnel been found to allow this? 2-The second relates to armourers in the Naval Service. I understand there are currently 3 armourers in the NS which represents about 25 per cent of the required capacity. I understand all three were recently persuaded to stay by increasing their pay rate from Tech 5 to Tech 6. Is the low number of NS armourers having an effect on capacities and use of weapons?