Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of storing and maintaining the MV Matthew ship since it was first seized by the State; the weekly amount it is costing to store and maintain the ship; the reason the sales process is taking so long; and if he will engage with the Revenue Commissioners as a matter of urgency. [31941/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that on 2 December 2024, the Special Criminal Court authorised the release of the MV Matthew, thereby facilitating its disposal. It was not possible to commence the disposal process prior to this date.

I have been further advised by Revenue that it was necessary to retain a globally recognised provider of integrated shipping services with an international breadth of expertise, not just in ship broking but also in finance, research, compliance and all aspects of international shipping. A broker was engaged in December 2024.

The bidding process concluded in Q1 2025 and a preferred bidder was identified. There are a significant number of regulatory obligations which must be fulfilled in order to finalise the disposal of the MV Matthew and to facilitate the removal of the vessel from Cork Harbour. Since March 2025, Revenue has been actively engaging with the vessel’s Flag State (Panama) and the Marine Survey Office to ensure that these regulatory requirements are satisfied, including the requirement that the following vessel certificates be issued by the Flag State:

1. Cargo Ship Safety Construction
2. Cargo Ship Safety Radio
3. International Oil Pollution Prevention
4. Load Line
5. International Air Pollution Prevention
6. Cargo Ship Safety Equipment
7. International Energy Efficiency
8. International Anti-Fouling System
9. International Sewage Pollution Prevention
10. International Tonnage
11. Document of Compliance Dangerous Goods
12. International Ballast Water Management
13. Maritime Labour
14. Bunker Oil Pollution Damage Insurance
15. Minimum Safe Manning Document
16. Safety Management
17. International Ship Security
18. Continuous Synopsis Record
19. Copy of Operating Company’s Document of Compliance (International Safety Management Code)
20. Statement of Compliance and associated Inventory of Hazardous Materials - Ship Recycling Regulation
21. Insurance of Ship Owners (Directive 2009/20/EC)
22. Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wreck.