Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 642: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will make arrangements to have the [i]Pere Charles[/i] fishing trawler lifted from the seabed off the Waterford coast. [14141/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 654: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will initiate procedures to raise the [i]Pere Charles[/i] and the [i]Honeydew[/i] vessels. [14369/07]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 654 together.

My colleague, Martin Cullen TD, Minister for Transport, and I have had discussions with many of the families of those involved in recent tragedies. We announced yesterday that a request will be issued shortly at EU level seeking tenders on the raising of both the Pere Charles and the Maggie B. We have also requested our colleague, the Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea, TD, to arrange for divers from the Naval Service to again inspect both vessels to establish their present condition and to provide data that will assist in the tender process. As the Honeydew II is a wooden vessel it is not proposed to raise it.

We expect this process will help confirm the adequacy of the processes in place following tragedies and also hope that it will bring some comfort to grief stricken families.