Kerry fishermen working off the west coast this week might just think that the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, has got his way after all. However, a large odd-looking vessel currently under Naval Service escort through Irish waters is definitely not a "flotel".
At 900 feet, or twice the length of Croke Park, the 32,000-tonne vessel would have plenty of space . . . but for armaments as well as cabin crew.
The Kiev class Russian aircraft carrier was once equipped with nuclear warheads, and roamed the seas of the Gulf and other "friendly" areas as a "statement of intent" - that is, a gunboat diplomat.
The carrier is now en route to its new owner, the Chinese government, and is currently being towed by an ocean-going salvage tug De Yi through the Irish zone. The Naval Service patrol vessel, LE Eithne, was due to rendezvous with the convoy west of Eagle Island, Co Mayo, last night.
Originally commissioned in the late 1980s, the aircraft carrier is capable of a speed of 29 knots, and was equipped with surface-to-surface missiles during its working life. China's defence force is headed by its naval service, and the carrier could come in useful in areas like Taiwan and the Spratley islands.
The carrier has the right of innocent passage through Irish waters, but the skipper is required to report his position, course, speed and on-scene weather conditions every four hours. The Naval Service, acting for the Irish Coastguard, will remain with the vessel until it leaves the Irish zone later this week.
Apart from being considered a danger to navigation, the carrier is said to pose no other risks. The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, confirmed yesterday that it was turbine-powered, and not nuclear-fuelled..
