Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

356. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide a breakdown of the maintenance costs of the MV Matthew, which was seized in September 2023 for drug trafficking, and has been docked in Cork for the past two years; and the reason for the delay in the sale of this cargo ship. [63167/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 of October 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.

Delays and difficulties in the disposal process have been created by the complexity of registration of ownership and regulatory processes created by the conduct of the previous owner (Matthew Maritime Inc) and the use of the vessel as a conveyance for international drug smuggling. The Revenue Commissioners has engaged robustly with the market through an international shipping broker and has actively engaged with parties interested in acquiring the vessel. However, it has not been possible to agree a contract for sale with interested parties at this time and the Revenue Commissioners will be proceeding to arrange a Class survey to advance the certification and clearance processes necessary to facilitate the departure of the vessel.

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.