Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 4

Written Answers. - Marine Accidents.

Seán Haughey

Question:

128 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if a report has been commissioned in relation to the sinking of the Carrickatine trawler on 15 November 1995; if so, if this report has been finalised; when will it be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18666/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

A report on the investigation of the loss of the fishing vessel Carrickatine, undertaken by my Department's Marine Survey Office, will be published very shortly.

To ensure fair procedures and adherence to principles of natural justice, the draft report into the investigation was subject to vetting by the Office of the Attorney General. In accordance with legal advice from that office, interested parties have been afforded an opportunity to comment on the report with a view to inclusion of their comments as an appendix to the report. This process has recently been completed and the report will now be published without further delay.

I regret that progress in having this and indeed other marine casualty reports published has been slower than I would like. I will shortly bring proposals to Government to address the recommendations in the report of the policy review group on investigation of marine casualties. The key proposal is the establishment of a new statutory marine casualty investigation board with enhanced powers to investigate marine casualties and to expeditiously publish reports of the board's findings.