Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will take up an invitation to attend an inquest in Northern Ireland into the drownings of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15046/13]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board regarding requests for attendance at inquests in Northern Ireland to discuss findings from MCIB reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15047/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 23 together.

I propose to answer question 17 and 23 together.  These Questions relate to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.

Under Section 8 of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is established as being independent of the Minister in the performance of its functions and, in general, is independent of any other person or body whose interests could conflict with the functions of the Board.

Consequently, the issue raised by the Deputies regarding the Board attending an inquest in relation to a casualty investigation is a matter for the Board itself and it would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.