Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - County Waterford Drowning Tragedy.

Mr. Deasy

The incident that took place at the weekend was very tragic and we would all like to sympathise with the two families involved, the Davies family and the Crowley family. Two young people died, Ross Davies aged 15 years and Keith Crowley who was 21. This accident should never have happened.

The tragedy I am referring to involved canoeists at Dunmore East last Saturday and it is most regrettable. It was very likely that such an incident would occur in view of the dreadful weather conditions at the time. On a day when the fishing fleet was tied up and continuous gale force and storm force winds were forecast, it is difficult to understand how frail craft carrying relatively inexperienced young people were allowed on the water. A public inquiry would provoke questions and provide answers which otherwise might not be forthcoming, and in doing so might save lives in the future. An internal Department investigation, which has been promised, will not provide open debate and will not get at the root cause of the tragedy. To get answers you must provoke debate — many internal Department investigations have come to nought.

We are too complacent when it comes to safety at sea, particularly in terms of yachts, sail boards, canoes, speed boats and other pleasure craft. Strict regulations should be introduced to prohibit such craft from putting to sea when dangerous weather is forecast. It is only about two weeks since a windsurfer was lost in Carlingford Lough near Dundalk and not many weeks since three or four men were lost in a pleasure boat in Strangford Lough. It is debatable whether any of these people should have been at sea.

Last Saturday at about 3.20 p.m. I travelled to Dunmore East and saw canoes grouped together 30 or 40 yards from the sea wall in sheltered and relatively calm conditions. The sea wall in question is near the Strand Hotel and not too far from the Counsellor's Strand. I imagine the canoes had come from the boat slip in Dunmore East and perhaps the accident occurred when they were on their way back. I was horrified that any small craft would be on the open sea in such weather conditions. There was not, as has been reported, a stiff breeze — a full gale was blowing. I went to the pilot station in Dunmore East to survey the scene in general and there was no fishing boat or craft at sea because the weather was so foul. We need a rational explanation as to why these craft put into open water in such conditions. The parents of the dead children, who are obviously extremely upset, are entitled to answers to their questions. The public in general wants to know why these people with little experience were allowed go to sea in such weather.

Are there no laws prohibiting people from going to sea in small pleasure craft in such conditions and, if not, will the Minister please bring in laws that will save lives in future? Outdoor pursuits such as canoeing and boating in general have become very popular in recent years. The only saving grace in this case is that all eight of the party involved were not lost. This is not a once-off occurrence, it will happen again unless remedial action is taken. I ask the Minister to give some indication of what he intends to do to ensure there is proper supervision of people who may put their lives in danger and, in doing so, also put the lives of people in the rescue services in danger.

Mr. Coveney

I thank Deputy Deasy for giving me an opportunity to refer to this tragic event. His on-the-spot knowledge of the conditions last Saturday in Dunmore East is valuable and I have asked my Department to speak to him about his observations at the time.

I wish to express my sincere sympathy and support, and that of the Government, to the Crowley and Davies families during this difficult time. It is important, in the interest of these families and the survivors, that I state quite clearly to the House the course of action I will be pursuing in this matter.

It was indicated to the media last Sunday on my behalf that I had asked for a review of the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. It was certainly never the intention to convey the message that a public inquiry of a formal nature was intended. The statutory basis for casualty investigations carried out by the Department, which is clearly set down in merchant shipping legislation, does not cover accidents involving canoes. Accordingly, there is no statutory basis for a formal investigation or public inquiry into the Dunmore East accident or for publishing a formal report in the matter. This should not be taken to mean that I do not want to have this matter thoroughly examined.

It is clear that I must look very closely at the circumstances of this tragedy to see what lessons can be learned for the future. This is particularly important in view of the growing participation in Ireland in marine leisure activities, both on inland waters and at sea. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be particularly difficult for the State to contemplate undertaking a regulatory safety role in the operation of leisure activities, and even if such regulation were undertaken it would be extremely difficult to monitor and enforce. As a result, the main role of the State has related to increasing general awareness of the need for basic safety practice, and it is my intention to maximise my Department's efforts in this regard.

I have asked a member of the Department's Marine Survey Office to review the circumstances of the Dunmore East accident. The official, who arrived in Dunmore East today, will conduct interviews with the survivors, local gardaí and directors of the adventure centre. The sole objective of the surveyor's review is to establish what happened and the lessons which can be learned from this accident, with a view to minimising or eliminating the possibility of a recurrence of such a terrible tragedy.

I commend the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Dublin, the local coast and cliff rescue services, the RNLI, the Garda and locals for their prompt and heroic response in very severe weather conditions. Nevertheless, I have asked for an appraisal of the emergency response.

When I have received and had an opportunity to consider the reports, I will take whatever reasonable steps are necessary to minimise the possibility of a recurrence of this type of accident. I have to make it clear, however, particularly as the review of the circumstances of this accident is not statutory, that there can be no question of my Department taking any view of the rights or wrongs in this case or of making any specific observations on the roles of individuals or groups involved.

I have separately arranged for one of the most senior officials of the Department of the Marine, the assistant secretary, to speak directly with the families involved to explain the nature of the review and what it will involve and to convey my deep concern about the matter.