Minister for Defence Tony Killeen is expected to signal that the Government will buy two new Naval Service patrol ships during a visit to Cork today.
The announcement is expected to be made when Mr Killeen welcomes the LE Niamhhome from a voyage to Latin America. Mr Killeen will be in Haulbowline naval base for the ship's arrival this afternoon, along with Defence Forces chief of staff Lieut-Gen Sean McCann and Naval Service Flag officer Commodore Frank Lynch.