Ms Cliona Cassidy:

I thank the Deputy for his questions. The investigations arise out of each incident so a report is created for each incident and, if it is appropriate, a recommendation flows from that. With regard to the question of a further role, the board is there for the investigation of marine casualties, and this has quite a broad term within the legislation, so it does not necessarily require a fatality or the sinking of a ship. For example, a boat running aground would be deemed an incident, and the board may then decide to investigate that.

With regard to employees and proper equipment, we have access to the surveyors and investigators of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and they wear an MCIB hat when they are investigating in that particular situation. Therefore, they go in not to assess whether regulations were followed or whether there was compliance, but to ascertain merely the cause of the incident. Within that, they can involve the Garda, they can interview and they can look at the vessel involved, depending on the type of incident. I do not believe there is any issue with regard to proper equipment or access to surveyors. Over the past two years, an independent surveyor list has been put together so, if it is inappropriate for some of the surveyors who are within the Department to investigate a particular incident, we have independent surveyors we can call on in that situation. Again, I do not believe there is an issue with regard to our access to the appropriate expertise required in the investigation of reports at this time.

With regard to the potential for querying or criticising the emergency services, our independence is pure so if it means we are criticising the Department, elements of the Department or the regulatory authority in regard to marine incidents, we have the power to do that and, where it is appropriate, we will do that. That will not change under my stewardship.

The board sits on 12 separate occasions during the year and, as Deputy Ellis rightly pointed out, it is a part-time board. Those board meetings are to assess whether there are any new incidents that need investigation, how ongoing investigations are proceeding and what needs to be done next, to ensure the publication of reports as and when they are completed and to ensure they have been commented on by those who may be adversely affected by them.

In regard to North-South links, I have to admit I am not sure of the position. I can come back to the committee with an answer but I am afraid I cannot give members any information in response to the Deputy's question.