Vol. 550 No. 2
113 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress has been made in seeking compensation from the German Government for the family of the owners of a ship (details supplied) bombed by aircraft during the Second World War; whether this is the only known Irish claim still outstanding from the war; and his plans to ensure that it is brought to a satisfactory resolution. [7782/02]
This case arose from the bombing of an Irish vessel, the mv Loch Ryan, by German war planes off the coast of Cornwall on 16 August 1940 and has involved a claim on behalf of the family of the owners of the vessel for compensation from Germany. The family's case has been raised with the German authorities on a number of occasions since the incident took place, most recently by Ireland's ambassador at Berlin on 28 February 2001.
As the Deputy will be aware, despite the best efforts of my Department, the German authorities are adamant that they do not accept liability in this case and, as I indicated to the Deputy in reply to his question on this matter on 9 May last, nor is there any indication that the position of the German authorities on this point will change.
Moreover, there is no international legal forum before which Germany can be compelled to appear in this case. I fully appreciate that the family of the late owner of the vessel are unhappy with this outcome and it was with much regret therefore that I have had to inform both the family and the Deputy that further pursuit of the claim holds out no prospect of success. Unfortunately that position has not changed. There are no other active claims for damages at the present time.
