Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
1146. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is aware that two boats, a 30 m mussel dredger and a smaller fishing boat, have been abandoned and are derelict at the quay at Ramelton in County Donegal; the assistance his Department will provide to remove these. [37396/15]
View answerMy Department is not aware of the particular vessels referred to by the Deputy.
In general, the relevant legislation under my remit which applies to such cases is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act, 1993.
In particular, Section 52 (1), (3) and (4) provides powers to the Local Authority to remove, and dispose of wrecks where the Authority believes that the wreck poses a threat to navigation or to the marine environment.
In addition, the owners of such vessels are responsible for any costs arising from the above actions under Section 53.
