Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - Missing Persons.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

137 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, that has been made by his Department regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who went missing following the disappearance of the light aircraft in which he was travelling while on a journey from Djerba to Malta on 3 December 1995; the outcome, if any, of the most recent inquiry into the matter; if the authorities in Tunisia have yet released the tape recording of the last conversations between the pilot of the aircraft and air traffic control at Djerba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3057/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

The board of inquiry established in January, 1996 by the Maltese Ministry of Transport and Ports to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the aircraft has almost completed its deliberations. Following two visits to Tunisia in 1997, during which members of the board of inquiry listened to tape recordings of messages between the aircraft and air traffic control at Djerba, the Tunisian authorities requested that a copy of the recording be furnished to the board of inquiry and that the original be sent for scientific analaysis in a specialised laboratory in a third country. According to information received on 4 February by the Irish Embassy in Rome from the Maltese Foreign Ministry, the Maltese and Tunisian authorities are still considering the technical legal issues involved in allowing the tape recording and copy out of Tunisa's jurisdiction.

The Maltese Foreign Ministry has assured the Embassy that the Irish Government's concern about the delay is shared by the Maltese Government and that every effort is being made by them to expedite the matter and enable the board of inquiry to conclude its proceedings. The Maltese authorities, as we ourselves, are mindful of the wishes of the families of the passengers to see the inquiry concluded.

The Irish Ambasador in Madrid, who is accredited to Tunisia, is also currently raising the matter with the Tunisian Foreign Ministry, reiterating support for the Maltese request that the tapes be released as soon as possible.