Vol. 495 No. 4
92 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if a report has been commissioned in relation to the sinking of a boat in November 1995; if so, if this report has been finalised; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20290/98]
A report on the investigation of the sinking of the fishing vessel Scarlet Buccaneer, undertaken by my Department's marine survey office, is being finalised at present and will be published shortly.
To ensure fair procedures and the adherence to principles of natural justice, the draft report into the investigation was subject to vetting by the Office of the Attorney General. In accordance with legal advice from that office, interested parties will shortly be afforded an opportunity to comment on the report with a view to inclusion of their comments as an appendix to the report. This process will be completed as quickly as possible, with full regard to the rights of interested parties. The report will then be published without delay.
I regret that progress in having this and indeed other marine casualty reports published has been slower than I would like. However, as I have previously informed the Deputy in my reply of 6 October 1998 to a similar question concerning another marine casualty, I will shortly be bringing proposals to Government to address the recommendations in the report of the Policy Review Group on Investigation of Marine Casualties. The key proposal is the establishment of a new statutory marine casualty investigation board with enhanced powers to investigate marine casualties and to expeditiously publish reports of the board's findings.
