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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 6

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Ballycotton (Cork) Inquiry.

John Browne

Question:

11 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for the Marine the measures, if any, he has implemented, arising from the report on the Ballycotton Fishery Patrol vessel tragedy; and if it is intended to provide moneys to implement the findings of the report.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

22 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine the additional staff and resources, if any, which have been provided for the regional fisheries boards to enable them to implement the recommendations of the Ballycotton Inquiry, especially in regard to improved safety procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Peter Barry

Question:

24 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Marine if he proposes to implement fully the recommendations contained in the Ballycotton report; when they will be implemented; the cost of such implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Peter Barry

Question:

26 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Marine if he will authorise the purchase of a large seagoing boat for fishery duties on behalf of the South West Regional Fisheries Board, which has repeatedly requested the funding for such a craft; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 22, 24, and 26 together.

All of the key recommendations in the Ballycotton report which relate to matters of operational safety have been implemented. In 1990-91 the fisheries board were provided with an additional £450,000 to purchase personal and communications equipment and to cover the cost of training in order to comply with the recommendations of the Ballycotton report.

In 1992 the regional fisheries boards were allocated an additional £130,000 to purchase additional semi-rigid inflatable boats, otherwise known as RIBs, to enable them to meet fully the recommendation of the report that RIBs should patrol only in pairs.

Regarding staff resources for the fisheries boards, I am actively pursuing the recommendation that deputy managers be appointed to the regional fisheries boards as part of my efforts to secure additional staff for the boards in key areas. However, the Deputy will appreciate that I am pursuing this matter against the background of a very difficult budgetary situation.

As recommended by the Ballycotton report, consideration has been given to the provision of larger seagoing vessels to patrol the area of sea between the six and 12 mile limit. Such consideration has, of course, to take account of the capacity of the Naval Service to police the salmon regulations within the 12 mile limit as a whole using the two fast inshore patrol vessels purchased in 1989.

The Department is currently working on proposals for inland fisheries to be put to Brussels under the EC Surveillance Programme as part of which the question of the purchase of larger vessels for salmon protection will be addressed. The operation of such larger vessels by the fisheries board would, of course, have staffing implications for the board in addition to those already being experienced and the making of such an application would in any event be contingent on matching Exchequer funds being made available.

In conclusion, I would like to stress in the strongest possible terms that it has been emphasised time and again to the fisheries boards that the safety of their staff must come first and that services should be provided only where reasonable safety requirements are met.

Is the Minister aware that the South Western Regional Fisheries Board are not satisfied with the situation? They were the people primarily involved in the Ballycotton disaster. Members of their staff died. They repeatedly demand that a proper seaworthy, seagoing, all-weather, ocean-going craft be provided for fishery protection patrols. They do not have one at the moment. Can the Minister give them any hope that such moneys will be made available?

I do not wish to trivialise the Deputy's concern or the seriousness of the issue involved, but it is something I will look at. I am working very hard to ensure that there will be decent vessels and staffing of the fisheries boards in the context of the Ballycotton inquiry report which suggested that deputy managers be appointed to all boards. A deputy manager has been appointed in only one of the seven boards. Much remains to be done. I take account of what the Deputy has said. If I do nothing else in my time in the Department of the Marine that is one issue that should be addressed.

Would the Minister accept that the best tribute we could pay to those who lost their lives in Ballycotton would be to accede as quickly as possible to the request from the fisheries board and officers that a seaworthy boat be provided, which will hopefully ensure that the kind of incident which occurred in Ballycotton will never happen again? Will the Minister assure us that all his efforts will be devoted towards ensuring that this vessel will be provided for the fisheries board at the earliest possible date and by that I mean this year?

No, I cannot give the Deputy that assurance and I will not because of the seriousness of the matter. I agree that such a vessel would be a monument to the memory of those who died arising out of the Ballycotton disaster.

When could it be expected?

I cannot say.

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