asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will give detailed particulars of such property, if any, as the State has in metals or other precious objects salvaged from wrecks submerged within territorial waters; and if he will give details of the steps taken by the State to ensure that such rights as it may have in regard to such metals or other precious objects are enforced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Property in Salvage.
6.
As indicated in reply to a previous question by the Deputy, the law in relation to wreck and salvage is set out in Part IX of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, as adapted. There are no metals or other precious objects salvaged from wrecks submerged within territorial waters at present in the hands of Receivers of Wreck.
Heavy penalties are provided in the Merchant Shipping Acts for offences in connection with wreck and salvage. Detection of such offences is the responsibility of the local Receivers of Wreck who are customs officials and who have the assistance of the custom and excise service in the discharge of their duties.
I cannot hear the answer.
I thought the instruments were working.
I wonder would the Minister answer my question and set out in detail particulars of such property. He refers me to a 70-year-old Act, which contains 748 sections and the part of that Act to which he refers me has 71 sections. Does the Minister consider that this is a reasonable answer to my question?
Would the Deputy prefer if I read out the section or shall I send it to him?
This is at the discretion of the Minister, in answering my question. I think the Minister is deliberately avoiding answering questions which are asked in this House.
If the Deputy wishes, I shall send him the relevant sections of the Act.
If I am not allowed to ask a supplementary, I shall put down a further question. Is the Minister aware cargoes of salvaged copper have been landed in Cork city recently, and has he made any inquiries as to whether they were salvaged from our territorial waters? Will he make any inquiries as to what property remains in the State?
I shall draw the attention of the Revenue Commissioners to the Deputy's statement.
I shall send the Minister any details I have.