Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí a chur an díospóireacht seo faoi bhráid na Dála. Tuigim na fadhbanna atá luaite acu. Glacaim leis go bhfuil cúis an-mhaith ann go bhfuil díospóireacht anseo ar an ábhar seo. Tá mé ag caint anseo thar ceann an Aire. Níl sé anseo. Ní féidir liom níos mó a dhéanamh ag an bpointe seo ach an freagra a léamh. B'fhéidir go mbeimid in ann cruinniú a eagrú idir an Roinn, na Teachtaí agus oifigigh eile ina dhiaidh sin chun níos mó plé a dhéanamh ar an gceist.

I thank the Deputies for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, who is unavoidably absent. I acknowledge the geographical diversity of the areas the Deputies represent and the sincerity of the views they expressed. Following this discussion, it may be useful for all of us to meet to discuss what solution, if any, can be found for this problem.

The Naomh Éanna was built by the Liffey Dockyard and launched in the late 1950s. Until 1988, it served as the Galway to Aran Island ferry. I travelled on it a long time ago on my first trip to the Aran Islands agus bhí sé suas agus síos. The vessel was purchased by the Irish Nautical Trust and moored at Grand Canal Dock in 1989 when it could no longer meet the health and safety requirements to operate as a passenger carrying vessel.

While a number of businesses rented portions of the vessel for commercial purposes, a report on the hull condition of the vessel, commissioned by the Irish Nautical Trust in April 2013, highlighted serious safety concerns. Based on the report's findings, the Irish Nautical Trust issued a Notice to Vacate to both businesses operating from the vessel. Due to the conditions of the vessel, insurance was unobtainable and the Irish Nautical Trust was unable to finance repair of the ship to bring it up to a standard worthy to hold insurance. Aware that the Irish Nautical Trust had little or no funds available, and given the health and safety implications arising from the condition of the vessel, Waterways Ireland offered to arrange for removal and disposal of the ship on the trust's behalf, subject to agreement. I am advised that the Irish Nautical Trust has confirmed its approval to Waterways Ireland to dispose of the Naomh Éanna on its behalf on the grounds of health and safety risks.

As the property owners of the Grand Canal Dock, Waterways Ireland has taken responsibility for the vessel to address the liability it represented. In this context, Waterways Ireland has liaised with the relevant stakeholders on issues regarding the vessel, including the heritage division of my Department. In this regard, I am informed by the underwater archaeological unit of my Department that the Naomh Éannais not considered a wreck as it has been in constant use, is not 100 years old or more, and is not associated with any historical event. There is no legislation that requires that this vessel be preserved or protected. Furthermore, it is considered that the suggestion that it is an example of the shipbuilding techniques used in the Liffey Docks in the 1950s does not, in itself, justify the expense that would be involved in its preservation. The MV Cill Airne, which was built in Liffey Docks during the same period, has been fully restored at considerable expense and is currently afloat and used as a restaurant in Dublin. I am also informed that Waterways Ireland has consulted Dublin City Council on the matter and has been advised that the proposed scrapping of the vessel is not in contravention of the strategic development zone, SDZ, plan for the North Lotts and Grand Canal Docks, an issue I understand has been alluded to in some correspondence.

It should be noted that the Naomh Éannahas deteriorated substantially in the past 20 years and presents a real risk in Grand Canal Basin. Accordingly, as acknowledged by everyone present, significant investment would be required to bring the vessel to the point where it would be safe and insurable. To mitigate the risks, Waterways Ireland is moving the Naomh Éannato an adjacent dry dock, under a short-term licence agreement with NAMA, from where it will be dismantled under contract. The vessel's condition will not support its movement out of the dock and I am advised by Waterways Ireland that this is the only practical way of ensuring the vessel does not sink in the main dock, thereby giving rise to additional expense.

Under the terms of the contract, the ship will be temporarily secured in the dry dock to prevent unauthorised access. Planned works are centred on protecting the dry dock, which is a protected structure, rather than preserving the hull of the ship. I am advised that extensive works, entailing considerable additional costs, would be required to preserve the already unstable hull of the vessel. While in dry dock, the boat will be unsafe for access as it presents considerable risk to the public. Although security can be provided in the short term, if the ship is to remain for a longer period, extensive measures would have to be taken in the interest of safety, such as insertion of bulk heads to prevent risk of collapse. This would add significantly to the costs already incurred by Waterways Ireland in removing the liability from the main dock, which costs it is not in a position to fund. I can also advise that any artefacts from the vessel will be returned to the Irish Nautical Trust.

Against the background of the serious health and safety issues arising in the context of this vessel, which I have outlined today, and in the context of clarifications that my Department has received from Waterways Ireland in relation to this ship, it is difficult to see a basis for preventing the disposal of the vessel, or indeed for providing a six month opportunity for the marine heritage restoration specialists, Irish Ship & Barge Fabrication Company, to provide a plan that would attract investment in this vessel's restoration.

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