Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 4

Written Answers. - Vessels Sunk off Donegal Coast.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

305 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine the number of U-boats, submarines and other types of vessel sunk off the Donegal coast inside or outside Irish territorial waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11467/96]

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

306 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make available to Deputy Keaveney a copy of a map that shows the current positions of U-boats sunk off the Donegal coast. [11468/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.

I have been in contact with the UK authorities in this matter who advise me that after the Second World War 116 German U-boats were sunk in compliance with a tripartite treaty between the UK, the US and the former USSR. Although the general areas in which the submarines were intended to be sunk are known, there was exceptionally bad weather at the time. A number of the vessels foundered under tow and exact locations were impossible to determine. A map will be forwarded to the Deputy giving the approximate locations and numbers.

According to UK records the following are the approximate locations at which the U-boats were sunk: (1) seven submarines located within an area extending approximately four to 12 miles off Malin Head: (2) four submarines located at approximately 15 miles off the Antrim coast; (3) 15 submarines located within an area extending approximately 12 to 27 miles off Malin Head; (4) 35 submarines located within an area extending approximately 30 to 60 miles off Malin Head; (5) 55 submarines located at approximately 100 miles off Bloody Foreland.

The locations of all known U-boats are mapped on British Admiralty charts. A map showing these locations will be forwarded to the Deputy.

There were numerous other vessels sunk off the coast of Ireland over the last hundred years. Many of these have now broken up. All known wrecks of navigational significance are charted on British Admiralty charts. The marine survey office of the Department, the Commissioners of Irish Lights and Bord Iascaigh Mhara keep the British Admiralty updated with information regarding new wrecks which occur or have been discovered. The best available information on locations of wrecks sunk within and outside our territorial waters is available to the public through British Admiratly Charts. I would suggest that the information requested by Deputy Keaveney with regard to numbers of vessels sunk may best be found through that source.