Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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198. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide a breakdown of all costs incurred by the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the seized vessel MV Matthew since 2023, including storage, security, maintenance and legal costs; the actions taken and planned to dispose of the asset and recover costs from liable parties; and the timeline for concluding these expenditures, given reports that the total has approached €11 million. [56306/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that the following table outlines payments made in respect of maintaining the vessel alongside in the Port of Cork since its detention in September 2023 up to end September 2025.

In November 2023, initial consultation commenced with a shipping broker with a view to marketing the vessel for sale. In December 2023, Revenue was advised by the Office of the DPP that the disposal of the vessel could not proceed as the vessel was required for evidential purposes in the associated criminal trial. On 2nd December 2024 the Special Criminal Court authorised the release of the MV Matthew and a shipping broker was then formally engaged by Revenue to market the vessel. The bidding process concluded in Q1 2025 when a preferred bidder was identified. Revenue continues to engage with the bidder’s representative.

There are significant regulatory and legal 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) to ensure that these regulatory requirements are satisfied. It should be noted, however, that the manner in which regulatory processes were conducted by the previous owner has resulted in certain difficulties and delays in Revenue being in a position to progress the disposal. Following engagement between Revenue, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Panamanian officials, progress has been made in addressing some of these difficulties, including the registration of Revenue’s ownership of the vessel in the Flag State which was a necessary requirement to facilitate Revenue’s disposing of the vessel. Accordingly, it is anticipated that progress can now be made in the disposal process.

However, as it stands, there remains certain regulatory and Port State Control matters to be addressed. Revenue is engaging with the necessary State agencies to progress these matters. As such, it is not possible to give a firm timeline for the disposal and departure of the vessel at this point. However, Revenue is considering all options, including the recycling of the vessel, such that the disposal and removal of the vessel can proceed in the most expedient manner.