Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2011
150 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if he will release the preliminary findings into the report in relation to the tragedy of the Evelyn Marie which sank off the coast of County Donegal in 1975 and the Carraig Úna which sank off the same spot in 1976 which resulted in the loss of 11 lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4516/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra151 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if the findings of the reports into the sinking of the Evelyn Marie in 1975 and the Carraig Úna in 1976 are covered under the Freedom of Information Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4517/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra152 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason there was no formal inquiry into the sinking of the Evelyn Marie in 1975 and the Carraig Úna in 1976; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4518/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 to 152, inclusive, together.
In relation to the publication of the Reports of Preliminary Inquiries into marine casualties, I refer the Deputy to the reply given to Questions Nos. 253 and 257 answered on 18 January 2011. The position is unchanged.
No formal inquiry was held into the sinking of the Evelyn Marie or the Carraig Una. The Nautical Surveyor who undertook both Preliminary Inquiries, noting the absence of survivors and the inability to establish the cause of either sinking, recommended that a Formal Investigation into the marine casualties not be held. The then Minister concurred with that recommendation.
The Freedom of Information legislation applies to records created after 21 April 1998; that legislation is not therefore applicable to the Preliminary Inquiry Reports into the sinking of the Evelyn Marie and the Carraig Una.
