Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received and reviewed a copy of the recent publication of an investigation report by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch into the parting of a mooring line on board the Dublin Viking alongside berth 52 in Dublin Port on 7 August 2007 which resulted in one tragic fatality; if he will enhance the monitoring and invigilation of vessels docked in Irish ports in the context of the publication of this report; his views on whether action will be taken in relation to liability for the death of the person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13110/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I have received a copy of this report. The ship involved in this incident was the "M/V Dublin Viking" which is registered in the United Kingdom. Therefore, in accordance with international maritime law the United Kingdom as the flag state was the lead investigating state and Ireland through the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, was a substantially interested state. The purpose of accident investigations carried out by bodies such as MAIB and MCIB is to learn lessons with a view to avoiding similar accidents in the future. It is not their purpose to apportion blame or liability. However, I do understand that the Health and Safety Authority did carry out an investigation into this incident in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

I am very concerned about the safety on board ships in Irish ports and Surveyors from my Department carry out over 400 inspections on foreign flagged ships in Irish ports each year under the auspices of the Paris MoU. These inspections cover the safety, security and pollution prevention of the ship as well as living and working conditions. These port state control inspections cover mooring arrangements amongst other matters.