David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for allowing me to raise this important but sad issue and I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, for taking the matter. The Maggie B sank 8.6 kilometres off Hook Head off the coast of Wexford on Wednesday, 29 March 2006. Two crew were lost, the skipper, Glen Cott, a native of Ballycotton, who was a former student of mine, and a Polish national, Jan Sankowski, who I am told was a 45 year old, experienced seafarer. Thankfully, one survivor was picked up shortly after the accident.

At least one dive has been made on the site. The family of Mr. Cott have approached me and I spoke with the owners of the boat who asked me to request the Minister of State to put in place measures to raise the boat, if possible. An issue also arose with regard to the Naval Service not being allowed to dive on the boat.

This is an important issue. The family want to know what happened. I am told the trawler passed a survey shortly before it was purchased by the present owners. It sank very quickly and it is possible that one or both bodies are still on the boat. The family and the owners are anxious to have closure on this matter. The one way that can be achieved is for the boat to be raised. I ask the Minister to explore every avenue to ascertain whether this is possible. If not, I ask that the Naval Service, with its expertise, knowledge and back-up, would be allowed to dive on the boat to discover what happened. I am told that the norm in other countries is, if at all possible, to raise such boats to discover what happened.

I express my sympathy to the families of both victims of this awful tragedy. I implore the Minister of State to use his good offices to accede to the request of the families, which has also been agreed to by the owners.

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