Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With the deepest respect, that reply does not do anything for us. Literally, we have no pathway and no ability to remove these wrecks that are littering our coastline. There is one at Ballycotton that is there since 2020. It is split in two at this stage and will probably be in four by the time I put down my next Commencement matter, and we will still be going nowhere. There is one in Kinsale that is one of many that has been tied against a pier wall for over a decade. There is no pathway from the local authority or the Department, and there are no structures in place to deal with these issues.

It is ironic. I go back to my point about these wonderful communities that go out picking litter every Saturday while the State is not doing its duty regarding vessels that are creating a huge environmental and health and safety hazard. This is destroying our rural and coastal environment. We need a date for the primary piece of legislation that is being talked about. Two years ago, I was told it was going to be “soon” but “soon” has come and gone. The vessels are now in two and they will be in four when I am back here again.