Vol. 562 No. 4
150 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received 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, the Pisces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6276/03]
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board is finalising the report of its investigation into the tragic accident off Fethard-on-Sea, which resulted in the deaths of five people.
Under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, 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 have been submitted to the board and these are being assessed in detail. I am 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.
