Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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440. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the resources his Department has devoted to the removal of abandoned boats around the coast; the powers local authorities have to force owners to remove such boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51968/17]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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454. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the resources his Department has devoted to the removal of abandoned boats around the coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51967/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 454 together.

No resources in this Department are assigned for the purpose of the removal of wrecks.

The relevant legislation under my remit which applies to wrecks is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act, 1993 and in particular ss. 51-52. In sum these set out the duty of the owner to remove or make safe obstructive wrecks and the powers of the appropriate authority to issue instructions in this regard, and if they are not complied with, to take the wreck in hand themselves. The owners of the wrecks are responsible for any costs arising from the authority’s actions. 

The appropriate authority may be a harbour authority, a local authority or the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

The deputy may also wish to refer to earlier questions on these matters: 29818/15, 37396/15, 45550/15 & 51370/17.