Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to share my time with Deputy Coveney.

Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Asgard II sank off the French coast in the Bay of Biscay on 11 September 2008. In general, in the case of sinkings, it is imperative that salvage operations begin immediately, subject only to weather conditions, to ensure that as little damage as possible occurs due to sea conditions and, more particularly, the corrosive effects of salt water. However, in this instance this did not happen. It is unfortunate that the Minister is not in the House this evening, but I think that from the very beginning a decision was made that the Asgard would not be salvaged.

Allianz insurers invited three salvage companies to submit quotations for raising the vessel from the sea floor and set a deadline of 17 October for the receipt of offers. I understand that at the request of one of the salvage companies, this deadline was extended by two weeks to 31 October, during which period a suitable weather window for the salvage operation presented itself. In salvage operations suitable weather windows are essential but, unfortunately, they do not present themselves to order. The time estimated for the salvage operation is approximately four weeks, which includes mobilisation and demobilisation for placing, de-rigging and removal of lifting equipment on and off the site. This opportunity was not taken, however, and it is my opinion that a decision was made very early on that the whole operation would not start immediately.

Many people are very disappointed with the Minister's decision as well as with his prevarication and procrastination. He accused me in the House of trying to exaggerate the position and being disingenuous when I said the matter was urgent. It is obvious that I was right, however. The master of the Asgard, Captain Colm Newport, told The Irish Times yesterday that he was very disappointed with the Minister's decision. He said he was still in discussions with a Dutch company about its salvage. He has questioned the competence of the advice given to the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, on the difficulties of raising the hull. If the master of the ship, Captain Newport, who is a highly respected individual, said that, it raises major doubts about the advice the Minister received as well as the Minister's judgment.

Captain Newport says the vessel can be raised and treated pending its full restoration. He believes the State has an obligation to remove the ship from French waters. We had the same response from the Asgard's crew who sent a letter to all of us saying they were so distressed by this decision. The Minister is not here but perhaps my remarks can be conveyed to him. He should at least present us with the report on why the ship was not raised. Deputy Coveney will no doubt mention a proposal he presented to the Minister, but the Minister did not even consult us about it.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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This matter has been handled appallingly. This vessel, which is owned by the Irish State, sank almost six months ago. Thank God no one lost their life because the crew managed to get off the vessel before it sank. The vessel has a significant history. It is not a yachting issue for people who like to go sailing or send their children sailing. The Asgard's role is far more fundamental. Some 10,000 people from all sorts of backgrounds have been on the vessel during sail training programmes of various types that were highly valuable. I have personal experience of the positive effects that sail training can have on people who need direction and guidance. The Asgard fulfilled that role, but it is now at the bottom of the sea. I spoke to the Minister last week and gave him a proposal that was put together by a series of people who wanted to compile an accurate costing for the vessel's refurbishment if it was refloated. Some €3.8 million is available to the Minister in insurance attached to the Asgard II. It will cost approximately €1.5 million to €2 million to raise the vessel, which leaves in or around €2 million to refurbish it.

Deputy Deenihan and I told the Minister that if he is going to leave the ship at the bottom of the sea, he should at least give us a written consideration as to why he is doing so, backed up with evidence and costings. We do not want the opinions of the board of Coiste an Asgard which made a recommendation to the Minister, having discussed the issue at length. I want to see hard evidence before I will support any proposal to leave this vessel at the bottom of the sea.

Neither will I accept that the vessel cannot be raised and refurbished at a cost that is potentially much less than the Minister's proposal to build a new vessel, a steel replica of Asgard II. Such a proposal will cost between €5 million and €7 million which is not an option in the current economic environment. The Government knows that. This is a spin job to get people to accept that the boat will remain at the bottom of the sea. The Government does not want to raise the vessel and does not want the risks associated with that. It promises to build a replica at some stage in the future but I do not believe it will.

The least the Opposition can expect is that the Minister will provide a written report outlining the basis of the recommendation to leave this vessel, which has already been valued at €4 million, unsalvaged. There is also an investigative responsibility on the Minister to discover why the ship sank which will not be established unless it is raised.

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea. I thank Deputies Deenihan and Coveney for raising the matter.

Yesterday, the Minister announced he had accepted the recommendation from the board of Coiste An Asgard on the possibility of salvaging the sail-training vessel Asgard II. The board's unanimous recommendation was that a salvage operation should not be pursued any further and the Minister concurred with this view having carefully considered its report to him.

Spending approximately €2 million on a salvage effort, the outcome of which would be uncertain, cannot be afforded at this time. A real risk exists whereby more than €2 million could be expended on a salvage effort that proves unsuccessful or, following which, the vessel is found to be damaged beyond repair. Until the vessel is salvaged, it would not be possible to assess whether it can be restored and the cost of doing so. Clearly, the greater the damage, the higher the cost of restoration.

Asgard II is a 30-year old wooden vessel that would have faced ever-increasing maintenance costs. The board was of the opinion that even after full restoration, the vessel might have ongoing maintenance problems. In addition, the possibility of increased regulatory requirements by the Department of Transport could add substantially to the cost of restoration. The board also took into account that parents of potential trainees may be reluctant to allow their children to sail on a vessel that had sunk.

While the name Asgard has been associated with two important vessels, it is also about sail-training and introducing young people to the experience of sailing. The Minister's priority is to ensure the continuation of the sail-training scheme. The Minister accepted the board's recommendation to initiate planning for the procurement of a new steel hulled vessel, similar in design to Asgard II . A steel hulled vessel would be less expensive to build and maintain than a wooden hulled vessel. It is also hoped that the future Asgard III would have facilities to cater for persons with physical disabilities, which the Asgard II could not.

The Minister knows it was a difficult conclusion for the board to reach, but it is one he accepts as being right and sensible. The costs and risks involved in attempting to salvage and restore Asgard II are too great. There is no doubt it was an outstanding sail-training vessel, held in the highest regard both at home and abroad. She was an excellent ambassador for the country for 30 years. However, the Minister believes the measures outlined for a new vessel will ensure sail-training in this country continues.