In view of the fact that the Minister for Defence is the Minister who has the ownership of if not the responsibility for Asgard II, could the Minister of State give any assurance about the future of Asgard II and the sail training programme, in view of the liquidation of Irish Shipping who have been managing Asgard II and who have employed directly the professional crew?

I take it that the Deputy is relating the question to the training of An Slua Muirí.

Yes.

(Dún Laoghaire): An Slua Muirí do not use Asgard II. The Minister at present is making arrangements with regard to the management of Asgard II.

Is the Minister of State saying that An Slua Muirí have not used Asgard II for the purposes of training in sailing conditions?

(Dún Laoghaire): I am saying that they do not run Asgard II. They go on training courses.

That is different. The Minister of State said that they do not use it.

Can the Minister of State give some indication as to whether the Minister for Defence is at present studying the future of Asgard II?

(Dún Laoghaire): He is considering the future management of Asgard II.

Can the Minister, as the owner of Asgard II, give a solemn assurance as to its future and the future of the sail training programme?

(Dún Laoghaire): I have no doubt that the future of Asgard II is in safe hands.

On the sail training programme, could the Minister of State say something about the professional crew of Asgard II who up to now have been employed directly by Irish Shipping?

(Dún Laoghaire): That is a separate question. I have answered the question as tabled by Deputy Molloy.