Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
107. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the Clinch Report has not been published given that his Department received the report over twelve months ago and his public commitment to publish the report by the end of the first quarter of 2022; if he will make arrangements to publish the report into the reform of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38374/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to highlight that the Report referred to in the question is not a report on the Marine Casualty Investigation Board per se – rather it was centred on the optimal structure for marine casualty investigation.
The Report is still the subject of an engagement with the Office of the Attorney General to obtain legal advice on certain aspects therein. Once this engagement has been concluded, and subject to the advice, I will then look to publish the report as appropriate.
With regard to the broader issue of the reorganisation of marine accident investigation structures, Cabinet approval has been given to the preparation of draft heads of a Merchant Shipping Bill to provide for a new marine accident investigation structure based on the establishment of a full-time marine accident investigation unit. Work on the general scheme is at an advanced stage in my Department. Subject to Government approval, the General Scheme will be subject to engagement with the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications including for pre-legislative scrutiny as part of the legislative process.
