Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jul 1991

Vol. 410 No. 7

Written Answers. - Irish Sea Submarine Incident.

Seán Ryan

Question:

39 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make a statement on an incident in the Irish Sea on 27 November 1989 whereby an Irish trawler Marie McClements was dragged along the water by a submarine which not only put the lives of the crew at risk but also caused considerable damage to the boat; and if, given that the owner was not insured for this type of incident and is unable to pursue this through normal channels, he will investigate the possibility of compensation from national or international resources.

Tánaiste and Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

The Government are very seriously concerned about the dangers that submarines pose to shipping. I have publicly expressed my concern on this subject on a a number of occasions and I would refer the Deputy to my statement on the matter in this House on 16 May 1991.

In relation to the particular incident to which the Deputy refers, I have made inquiries into the matter and I understand that no contact was made by the skipper of the vessel at the time of the incident with the Marine Rescue Co-Ordination Centre. My Department were notified of the incident on the following day by the Irish Fishermen's Organisation.

Claims for compensation in respect of damage to fishing vessels are essentially a civil matter and the Government have no involvement. Furthermore the Marie McClements is not registered in Ireland and under international maritime law and practice it is the flag state of a vessel which takes any necessary action relating to that vessel.