asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the removal of items from the wreck of the Lusitania; if this wreck lies within our jurisdiction; and, if so, the steps he intends to take to protect its contents.
29.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Wreck of Lusitania.
28.
asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on the position regarding the salvaging of wrecks and their contents off the Irish coast; if he will make a statement on the salvaging of the contents etc. of the Lusitania; and if he intends taking action in this case.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.
The salvaging of wrecks and their contents are governed in this country by the statutory provisions contained in Part IX of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
Briefly, these provisions are to the effect that where the owner of a wreck finds or takes possession of it, he is required to report the fact to the local receiver of wreck. In all other cases, any material salvaged or recovered from a wreck must be surrendered to the receiver of wreck. Wreck found outside the territorial limits of the State and brought within such limits must also be surrendered to the receiver of wreck. If the owner of the recovered wreck or material establishes a claim to it within a year, he is entitled to receive it after deduction of necessary expenses including the cost of salvage.
These provisions operate within Irish jurisdiction. As the Lusitania wreck is well beyond the three-mile territorial limits, she is outside Irish jurisdiction.