Amid attempts to land drugs on Irish coast, Naval Service can still only deploy one ship

They also said: “The Naval Service and Air Corps conduct maritime surveillance and fisheries patrols in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the Irish Naval Service Fisheries Monitoring Centre in Haulbowline remotely monitors vessels in the Irish EEZ on a 24/7 basis.”

However, having just one navy ship on patrol is not helping in the fight against drug importation.

Micheál Martin’s spokesperson said: “A number of investment initiatives have been introduced to address recruitment and retention within the Naval Service, including the doubling of the patrol duty allowance and increased starting salaries.”

However, only around 80 personnel have qualified for that patrol duty allowance (PDA ) so far this year and fears are growing those not able to avail it will quit the already beleaguered force.

The doubling of the PDA should mean that those who undertake 165 days a year on sea patrol will get an annual salary of nearly €60,000.

However, just one ship has been out on patrol for the past few months monitoring fishing activity as well as potential threats of drug importation, with the three other modern P60 class vessels undergoing maintenance.

Meanwhile, the future of the older P50 class LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh, which are also out of action, is shrouded in uncertainty.

The one ship in use is on constant patrol as it is swapping crews from others to keep fully operational.

But as the P60s are crewed by around 40 personnel it means that just double that number are getting the additional PDA allowances at present.

In addition, the two smaller inshore patrol vessels purchased from New Zealand at a cost of €26m also remain tied up because the navy does not have enough specialists at present who need to be onboard when the ships go out to sea.

A spokesman for the Defence Forces press office maintained the increased PDA is a welcome step in addressing the unique nature of seagoing with the Naval Service and that personnel receive this allowance as part of their weekly or monthly (rank dependent) pay.

However, he refused to say how many personnel are currently qualifying for it. The Irish Examiner understands it is around 80.

Meanwhile, it is not clear when more ships will be ready to go back on patrol.

The Defence Forces spokesman said: “The navy does not comment on the operations of the fleet but will highlight that a phased return to patrolling will occur as the numbers of personnel serving in the navy rise and are deployed to the fleet.”

While PDForra, the association which represents enlisted personnel in the navy, is prohibited from commenting on operational issues, its president Mark Keane said he is concerned about the small numbers of sailors who are currently able to avail of the increased PDA.

He reiterated that his association welcomes the doubling of the PDA but, without the opportunity for many to benefit from it, “it would be akin to Shakespeare’s Hamlet without the prince”.

Mr Keane said: “The PDA increase is something we in PDForra had looked for over many years, as we firmly believe that this forms part of ‘the three Rs’ which we have highlighted previously and which can be summed up simply as retention, remuneration, and recruitment.

“Our members currently endure long hours and frequent periods of weeks away from home, serving in arduous and inhospitable weather conditions.”

Mr Keane said it is “ironic” that since the doubling of the PDA was announced late last year, it is now out of reach of many personnel.

“Its introduction was designed to aid recruitment and retention. But there’s now a fear that those who are unable to attain it, through no fault of their own, may decide to leave and seek better remuneration elsewhere.

“It could well influence their decision to leave, which would be very unfortunate,” Mr Keane said.