asked the Minister for Transport if the investigation ordered by the Taoiseach into the sinking of the Clogherhead fishing trawler on 18 April 1982; attributes the cause to a foreign owned vessel or object and, if so, if he will give details.

The preliminary investigation which I have designated an officer of my Department to conduct into the loss of the fishing vessel Sharelga has been arranged in pursuance of the normal statutory provision for investigating casualties to ships or fishing vessels. I am not in a position to offer any comment as to the cause of the loss pending the completion of the investigation.