#NavalService – Today's Irish Times reports that the Government remains committed to supporting the Naval Service. Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe pledged to ensure Ireland's sovereignty is maintained over the State's maritime jurisdiction.

Mr. Kehoe said the success of the Naval Service in the areas of fishery protection, search and rescue and in providing aid to the civil power was evident to all and had helped convey the importance of the Naval Service to the wider community.

"Our ships signal to everybody that we are committed to good governance in our oceans and they serve as a warning to those who think about flouting the norms and principles of the Irish State and the wider international community," Mr Kehoe said.

Mr Kehoe was speaking at the Naval Service commissioning ceremony where six former cadets received their scrolls of commission before a large gathering of dignitaries, as well as family and friends, at the Naval Service headquarters at Haulbowline in Cork Harbour.