Barrett, Seán

Adjournment Debate. - Dunmore East (Waterford) Salvage Operation.

As the House is aware the fishing vessel Jenalisa was lost off Brownstown Head on 4 February 1996, the body of one fisherman having been recovered by another fishing vessel on that day. The...

First, I extend my most sincere sympathy to the families of the three lost fishermen. I am particularly conscious of the anguish of the relatives of the two fishermen whose bodies have not yet bee...

I would like to recount for the House the sequence of events since the loss of the Jenalisa on 4 February. The families of the two lost fishermen deserve a full account of the activities of...

The vessel was reported lost on 4 February and was located on the seabed on 8 February. In the meantime there was an intensive search for bodies using Irish marine emergency service coastal units ...

In view of the failure of the diving parties to penetrate sections of the vessel where, it was considered, the bodies might be trapped and the recommendation to me on 16 February by the marine surv...

The terms of the agreement with the contractor were for the salvage vessel to arrive on 24 February but weather and technical difficulties delayed its arrival. It was originally expected to arrive ...

I am advised that alternative arrangements have now been made with the firm objective of commencing salvage operations by Sunday next 3 March, weather permitting.

I wonder why people try to play politics.

I am trying to be serious about a very difficult matter.

I am trying to shed light on the matter for the Deputy but I advise him to stop playing politics and to hold his tongue.

The Deputy did not. I am around the House and the Deputy can contact me any time.

I was in the House yesterday, I have been here all day today and the Deputy did not come near me.

I object to people playing politics with a serious issue — to say that weather does not matter is absolute and utter nonsense and shows complete ignorance of the facts.

I take this matter very seriously.

To say that weather does not matter in trying to carry out a salvage operation of this nature shows complete ignorance of the facts.

The Deputy did and it will be on the record, he said he did not want to hear about bad weather.

I am advised that alternative arrangements have now been made with the firm objective of commencing salvage operations by Sunday next, 3 March, weather permitting.

I sincerely regret the delay in the commencement of the salvage operation. I appreciate how this is adding to the anguish of the relatives of the lost fishermen but I do not accept that the delay i...

The Dáil adjourned at 9.45 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 29 February 1996.

Written Answers. - Departmental Studies.

Was asked: the total number of studies undertaken by his Department or by an agency under the aegis of his Department; the number of matters that he or the Minister(s) of State at his Department have referred...

Details in respect of consultancy studies in 1995 were passed to the Deputy on 13 December 1995. No additional studies have been initiated in this regard since that time.

Was asked: the total number of studies undertaken by his Department or by an agency under the aegis of his Department; the number of matters that he or the Minister(s) of State at his Department have referred...

It would not be practicable, having regard to the time available and the commitment of resources that would be involved, to compile information on all studies undertaken by my Department or by agen...

The following expert groups have been established by me or by the Minister of State at my Department:

1. The Salmon Management Task Force.

2. The Monitoring and Advisory Group on the Corrib System Development Plan.

3. The Sea Trout Monitoring and Advisory Group.

4. Review Group on Pilotage in the Waterford Estuary.

5. Fishing Vessel Safety Review Group.

6. Task Force on Biotoxin Contamination.

7. East Coast Search and Rescue Review.

Written Answers. - Flying of National Flag.

Was asked: whether it is the practice to fly the national flag on a regular daily basis at the 1916 memorial at Arbour Hill Prison, Dublin.

It is not the practice to fly the national flag on a daily basis at Arbour Hill. The flag is raised and lowered by the Defence Forces on ceremonial occasions such as the annual 1916 commemoration ...

Written Answers. - Disability Pension Claims.

Was asked: if he will review the case of the disability pension claim for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in view of the fact that he is extremely and increasingly disabled.

The person referred to by the Deputy applied in 1985 for a disability pension under the Army Pensions Acts. His application was referred to the Army Pensions Board, which is the statutory body app...

The applicant's case has been reviewed on a number of occasions in the light of additional material furnished by him, but the board did not alter their original report. Consequently, the position ...

Written Answers. - Crosshaven (Cork) Pier.

Was asked: the funds, if any, that have been allocated for the restoration and development of Crosshaven Pier, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Costed proposals for development works at Crosshaven are currently being put together by local interests in consultation with this Department, Cork County Council and Cork Harbour Commissioners. A...