Vol. 496 No. 1
47 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has received the report of the Marine Survey Office on the loss of the MFV Carrickatine; the action, if any, he will take arising from the report; when the marine casualty investigation board will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21873/98]
A report on the investigation of the loss of the fishing vessel Carrickatine, undertaken by the Marine Survey Office of my Department, has now been finalised and will be published next week.
I am having arrangements made for each of the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy to be presented with copies of the report in advance of its general release.
As I have said before, I regret that progress in having this and indeed other marine casualty reports published has been slower than I would like.
Accordingly, I have already accepted the general thrust and content of the recently published report of the Investigation of Marine Casualties Policy Review Group which was set up to review the existing policy, procedures and legislative framework for maritime casualty investigations in Ireland.
I will shortly be bringing proposals to Government to address the recommendations made by the review group. In this regard, work is under way in my Department on the preparation of the required legislative framework to implement the key proposal which is the establishment of a new statutory marine casualty investigation board. The board, when established, will have enhanced powers to investigate marine casualties and to expeditiously publish reports of the board's findings.
I am confident that the new system of investigation, identified by the review group, will resolve the current difficulties regarding the publication of reports, and will help me to achieve my central aim which is to put in place a modern casualty investigation system which will have clear procedures and purpose, and which will meet the needs and expectations of all the various interested parties in relation to such investigations.
