Written answers

Thursday, 12 July 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Marine Accidents

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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615. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter relating to an investigation (details supplied) by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31651/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Marine Casualty Investigation Board was set up under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000 to investigate marine casualties and publish reports of such investigations. Under Section 8 of the Act, the MCIB 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.

The purpose of an investigation is to establish the cause or causes of a marine casualty with a view to making recommendations for the avoidance of similar casualties. Under the Act, it is specifically not the purpose of an investigation to attribute blame or fault.

Before publishing a Report, the Board is required to send a draft of the report or sections of the draft to any person who, in its opinion, is likely to be adversely affected by the publishing of the report (or their representatives), who have 28 days to submit observations. The Board may also reopen a completed investigation if it is satisfied there is new evidence available which could materially alter the findings of the investigation and if the purpose of the investigation could be served by re-opening, it is of course open to any person to bring such new evidence to the attention of the Board.

Under the Act the Minister has certain powers, for example after consulting the Board, the Minister may direct an inquiry be held into a marine casualty or direct that a completed inquiry be re-opened if the Minister is satisfied there is new evidence likely to materially alter the outcome.

I am aware of the marine casualty to which you refer. In the event that new evidence is now available in relation to this matter, the Act allows such evidence to be brought to the attention of the Board.

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