62 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine the investigation, if any, which has been held into an incident on the Sealink ferry, Hibernia, on the night of 16/17 January 1993, which resulted in 20 people being injured; if he intends to undertake any review of safety procedures in the light of this accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

On the day of the incident in question, I despatched the Department's Deputy Chief Surveyor to Holyhead to make a firsthand assessment of the situation. His report to me concluded that the incident resulted from the vessel rolling suddenly and then righting itself in rough sea conditions. The fast and heavy motion caused many passengers to lose their balance and some sustained injury through collision with moving or fixed objects. Freight vehicles were securely lashed and stowed and did not shift appreciably. Some cars moved on the car-deck resulting in damage of same. I am satisfied, on foot of his comprehensive report to me, that no further investigation of this incident by the Department is necessary. The UK Department of Transport have recently completed their own investigation and have undertaken to make a summary account of that investigation available to this Department as soon as possible. The Hibernia is a UK registered vessel. Stena Sealink Line, who operate the Hibernia, carried out their own internal inquiry into the incident.