Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Can the Minister of State assure the House that the MV Zeranat, which is on its way to Douala in Cameroon, is not operating under a flag of convenience? Is the crew of that ship engaged under proper pay and conditions? I understand the incident that took place in N'Djamena was a political one and therefore that Irish troops would not be involved. Last month, the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, informed us at question time that it was unlikely that such an incursion could be mounted again before the end of the rainy season, which begins in June. Will the Minister of State provide us with an update in that regard? Is that still the security advice available to the Department, that no such incursion can take place before the end of the rainy season? Apart from that, is there any indication whether it is any more likely that it can happen after the rainy season?

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