The Defence Forces welcomes the news today of the Government's decision, subject to Dáil Éireann approval, to deploy a Naval Service vessel to EUNAVFORMED (ENFM) OPERATION IRINI in June and July 2023.
The LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS has been identified as the Naval Asset set to deploy for this Operation. The crew will now commence a work up period in order to be mission ready.
LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS will be tasked with Information, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations while also engaging in Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) operations on a regular basis, a capability in which the Irish Navy excels, from experience in the North East Atlantic Ocean.
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Seán Clancy welcomed this announcement stating,
“The deployment of LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS on OP IRINI will provide the operation with highly skilled and capable personnel with experience in Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO) throughout Ireland’s maritime domain and on previous overseas missions - OP PONTUS and SOPHIA."
He added,
“This deployment is crucial to the regeneration of Ireland’s Navy and is directly linked our efforts to recruit, retain and incentivise seagoing.”
Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone, stated
“With ambitions for the expansion of the Naval Service as outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces report, this deployment presents an opportunity to build on the experiences gained through previous maritime overseas missions. Our sailors bring vital experience to bear in what remains a dynamic operational role.”
ENDS
Note to Editors:
CSDP - Common Security Defence Policy
EUNAVFORMED - European Union Naval Force in the Mediterranean
ENFM - European Union Naval Force in the Mediterranean
