My predecessor raised this matter with his French counterpart last April. In October 1994 the Department wrote directly to the person appointed to carry out the French inquiry, seeking to have the matter expedited. It was also raised with the French Authorities in November 1993 by the then Minister for the Marine. The Department of Foreign Affairs has been pursuing the matter on an ongoing basis through the Irish Embassy in Paris.
On each occasion that the matter was raised it was emphasised to the French that the delay in completing the judicial inquiry in France is prolonging the suffering of the bereaved families.
Following legal consideration, an "International Rogatory Commission" was issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs in March 1995. This was done on behalf of the marine surveyor in the Department of the Marine who is carrying out the Irish investigation into the collision. It is intended to bestow on him an equivalent status to that of his French counterpart, which would give him access to the French proceedings. This is now in the hands of the French authorities and a response is awaited. I will continue to pursue the matter with the French authorities until a reply is received.
