Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand this has been going on since 2007, so the family have been fighting it for 17 years. We can imagine the toll of trying to take on two states and the EU over that length of time and the affect that has had on the family. The Department is aware of it, or should be aware at this stage given its representatives have previously appeared before this committee. Some of the problems relate, as we have heard, to the fact two or three Departments are involved and they just shove the issue around. The recommendation is that we bring in representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Transport, especially the head of the marine survey office. It comes down to the fact we have an obligation, as does the Government, to make sure that down the line we will not be hearing about something serious happening and lives having been lost.