When the reports of the damage to the Saoirse were received, the Irish Embassy in Ankara made inquiries with the Turkish police and customs authorities in the port to ascertain their assessment of what had occurred, and the contention of the crew that this had involved sabotage. I have explained, in reply to previous questions from the Deputy, the reasons why the Turkish authorities did not consider that sabotage had taken place. I would be happy to have the views of the Irish Ship to Gaza group examined. I met with them in June prior to these events, and I am of course already familiar with the case they have made in public, and to the Turkish authorities, in relation to their view that the Saoirse was sabotaged. I would invite them in the first instance to meet with officials of my Department, to determine if they have further evidence beyond this to impart.
The investigation of what happened in a port in Turkey is of course, and will remain, primarily the responsibility of the Turkish authorities.