Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1997

Vol. 477 No. 1

Written Answers. - Payment to Marine Salvors.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

242 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine the measures, if any, he will take to expedite the payment of costs to marine salvors in view of their important role in preventing spills to our coasts and harbours by removing oil and pollutants from wrecked vessels when hired to do so. [8472/97]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I fully appreciate the important role which marine salvors can play in preventing and controlling pollution from wrecked vessels.

The payment of their costs,inter alia, is provided for in the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act, 1993. Under the Act salvors are contracted by the owners of wrecks to carry out salvage operations and, as Minister for the Marine, I have no function in the matter. The costs incurred are usually met by the owner's insurers supported as appropriate by the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund, to which Ireland is a party. Failing payment from this source salvors are entitled under the Act to special compensation from the owner of the wreck.

The Deputy will appreciate that the settling of compensation claims are by their nature usually long drawn out processes.