Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence the net amount that will be received by the State as an insurance payment in respect of the sinking of the [i]Asgard II[/i]; the reason it was decided not to salvage the vessel; his plans for replacing the vessel, including the estimated cost of a replacement; his plans for a temporary replacement pending a permanent solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9877/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The amount due in respect of the insurance payment for Asgard II is €3.8 million. As the Deputy will be aware, I have accepted the unanimous recommendation of the board of Coiste an Asgard not to proceed with a salvage operation. The main reason for that decision was that I considered that the risks were too great to commit to spending a sum in the region of €2 million at this time on a salvage effort where the outcome is uncertain. I also had to consider the cost of restoration, which cannot be accurately assessed until after the vessel is raised.

I have also stated that I propose to replace Asgard II with a new steel-hulled vessel. The cost of building such a vessel is not known at this stage. However, arrangements are under way to provide a limited cruise programme on the Creidne during the summer months this year. This vessel was used by Coiste an Asgard for sail training prior to Asgard II. It is now under the control of the Naval Service. A programme of extensive refurbishment of the Creidne is nearing completion and the vessel is expected to be available by May.

Coiste an Asgard has also entered into an arrangement whereby it will arrange for a number of Irish trainees to undergo sail training on board the Norwegian sail training vessel Christian Radich during the tall ships race.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister aware of comments made by the former captain of the Asgard, Captain Newport? He said he believed that the Asgard could be salvaged, repaired and hopefully restored as a sail training vessel. Is the Minister also aware of similar observations by the Asgard's crew? In addition, a person who was there at the time of the last survey felt the ship was in sufficient shape to be salvaged. Does the Minister reject the claims by Captain Newport who questioned the competency of the board of Coiste an Asgard to make such a decision? Does the Minister agree with Captain Newport that there is an obligation on the Government to remove the vessel from French waters?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I have not spoken personally to Captain Newport but I am aware of his comments. I want to take this opportunity to compliment him again on the wonderful job he did at the time the boat unfortunately sank in the Bay of Biscay. I am also aware of the crew's comments. My advice, however, is that despite those comments it was uncertain what condition the Asgard would be in if we salvaged it. There is no hard evidence available to me that the vessel would be repairable or that it would not be irrevocably damaged during the course of a salvage operation. That is the scientific and engineering advice I have received. The people who undertook the ROV survey were in no position to give a clear yes or no on that question. All they could tell us was the position of the Asgard. They confirmed that the vessel was in an upright position, but they were not able to confirm that it would have survived a salvage operation and that it would be repairable for a reasonable cost if salvaged. In the current economic circumstances in particular, I could not afford to take the risk of blowing €2 million of taxpayers' money on what could be a futile operation.

As regards the competency of the board of Coiste an Asgard, there are many excellent people on the board. Many of them have extensive experience in these matters and they also have advice available to them if and when they need it. Therefore I must take seriously what they say. The board's recommendation was unanimous — that it would be too risky to proceed with the salvage.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister think there is an obligation on the Government to remove the vessel from French waters? Who owns the Asgard now? Has it been abandoned or is it still in our ownership? Is there anything to prevent some other country or group from salvaging the ship? Are they free to do so now? If the Minister has decided to abandon the Asgard for the reasons he outlined, does he not think he should give another group or country access in order to salvage the vessel and restore it as a sail training ship?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The answer to Deputy Deenihan's last question is that the vessel is still owned by the Department of Defence. As regards giving a salvage opportunity to others, I already said in my initial announcement that a number of people have been in touch with my Department and have written to newspapers to say they would be willing to make a contribution towards salvaging the Asgard. I intend to put a system in place through the board of Coiste an Asgard to facilitate them should they so wish.

It has not been communicated to me that we have any obligation to remove the vessel. However, I am putting a system in place whereby people can make a voluntary contribution if they wish. If the contributions are sufficiently high we could possibly top them up. I am keeping that option open.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Do they own the boat?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government still owns the boat.