Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the actions which have taken place to help locate the bodies of two fishermen lost at sea (details supplied) in a recent boating tragedy; the plans which are in place to raise the fishing trawler as the bodies may still be on board; if he will engage the services of the Naval Diving Unit to assist in the recovery of the bodies and return them to their grieving families. [16696/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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First of all I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the families of Glen Cott and Jan Sankowski who were tragically lost in this incident.

On 31st March, the Coast Guard was alerted and immediately tasked resources to the scene of the incident involving the fishing vessel Maggie B. One crew member was rescued from the water, clinging to the upturned life raft. Based on information received and with the assistance of their search computer, the Coast Guard carried out a thorough search of the area, both at sea and on the shore line for 21 days using helicopters, lifeboats, Naval Service Vessels, Air Corps Casa Aircraft, local fishing vessels, coast guard shore units and members of the public. The ending available also suggested that the missing persons were not on the sunken vessel.

The owner of the vessel Maggie B engaged several divers to dive on the vessel and search for the missing men. This was done and it confirmed the Coast Guard's conclusions that the two bodies are not on or around the vessel. Therefore raising the Maggie B now will not help in locating the missing bodies.

I understand that the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is carrying out an investigation into the sinking of the Maggie B. You will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any aspect of this case while it is still under investigation.