Vol. 442 No. 4
39 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received the report of the deputy chief surveyor of his Department into the accident involving the Castletownbere ferry on 24 February 1994, in which four people died; if not, when the report is expected; if the vessel concerned was licensed under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On the day of the Castletownbere ferry tragedy, I appointed the Deputy Chief Surveyor of the Department's Marine Survey Office to carry out an investigation into the casualty in accordance with the provisions of merchant shipping legislation. I also appointed two further marine surveyors to assist the Deputy Chief Surveyor in this task.
The deputy chief surveyor has completed his investigation and is currently compiling a report of his findings. I expect to receive the report in the coming weeks, and it is my intention that it will be made public as soon as possible thereafter.
I can confirm that the vessel involved in this tragedy was not licensed under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1992.
