Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
239. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will publish the results of a recent feasibility study which was carried out at Ballyandreen, Ballycotton, County Cork at the site of a vessel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43069/22]
View answerMy Department has recently commissioned a health and safety assessment of the wreck referred to by the Deputy and work on this assessment has been ongoing over the past number of months. The assessment is due to be received by my Department shortly.
As the Deputy may be aware, the relevant legislation in cases such as the matter referred to by the Deputy is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993 which sets out the roles and responsibilities of a number of bodies.
Section 51 places the initial responsibility for removing a wreck on the owner of the vessel. However, if the appropriate authority, in this case Cork County Council, considers the wreck is or is likely to become an obstruction or danger to navigation or a threat of harm to the marine environment, or to related interests, which includes the health of the public, it shall proceed to raise and remove the wreck or otherwise render it harmless.
Section 40 of the Act provides that the Minister for Transport has the “general superintendence” of matters relating to wrecked or stranded vessels. Further provisions outline the responsibilities from an operational perspective for other bodies, while Section 56 of the Act provides for an offence for a person to board or attempt to board any wrecked or stranded vessel without permission and also provides for an offence if a person interferes with a wreck in any way.
Once the health and safety assessment is received, the findings will be considered by my Department and the report will be shared with the relevant appropriate authorities as outlined in the legislation in order to consider any appropriate actions.
