Vol. 560 No. 1
125 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to receive the report of the Marine Accident Investigation Board into the loss of four lives off Fethard on Sea on 28 July 2002, following the sinking of a sea angling vessel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1822/03]
The investigation into the tragic accident off Fethard on Sea, resulting in the deaths of five people, is a matter for the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, which is an independent body established in June last year under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000. Under the Act the board is required to publish a report of any investigation it undertakes into a marine casualty after having sought and received the observations of parties likely to be adversely affected by publishing the report. The Act provides for a copy of the board's report to be transmitted to me as soon as it is published. I am advised that under the statutory consultation procedure, a substantial volume of observations has been submitted. These are being assessed in detail by the board.
I am also advised that the board intends to be in a position to publish the report within the statutory time limit of nine months from the date of notification of the casualties, that is no later than end April 2003. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that it would not be proper at this time for me to discuss any aspects of the board's investigation, but I assure him that I will respond quickly to any recommendations made by the board to improve maritime safety generally.
