I am pleased that the British authorities have announced that they have now decided to block the dismantling of the old US naval ships, the so-called ghost ships, in the UK. I understand it is also their intention to return those ships already under passage to the US at the earliest convenience. Among the concerns I have raised about this issue is the unnecessary risks that transporting these vessels over long distances on the high seas expose countries such as Ireland to and I wrote to the UK and US authorities on the matter.
Before their announcement to return the ships to the US I had made arrangements to meet the UK Ambassador tomorrow. This meeting will go ahead as planned to enable me to press for specific details relating to the return of the ships and to seek assurances that no further vessels will be transported at a later date. In my letter to the US authorities I have asked them to consider an alternative approach to dismantling the ships that would not involve towing the vessels across the Atlantic with all the risks associated with such an approach.
I met the EU Transport Commissioner, Mrs. Loyola de Palacio, on Thursday last and I pressed for urgent EU action to stop the vessels being brought to Europe. I informed her that I believe that the transportation of these vessels is not only a matter for the United States and Britain, it is also a major issue particularly for the coastal states of the European Union. I also informed the Commissioner that Ireland would use the opportunity of its Presidency to consider what additional measures might be taken to prevent European waters being used as a highway for any vessels that could pose serious threats to member states' coastlines, and I requested her to undertake an evaluation of what further EU powers she believes would be required.
