FORMER minister for the marine and Galway West TD Frank Fahey has welcomed the Ombudsman’s publication of “all the facts” relating to his role in the controversial “Lost at Sea” scheme for fishing vessels.
However, a Fine Gael MEP called on Mr Fahey to resign his position as chairman of the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
A special report into the scheme was presented by Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly to the Houses of the Oireachtas yesterday following the rejection of her investigation’s findings by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The department also rejected Ms O’Reilly’s recommendation that almost €250,000 be paid in once-off compensation to one of the unsuccessful applicant families.
It is only the second time that the Ombudsman’s office has taken such a step in its 25-year history – the last time being in 2002 in relation to the Revenue.
The scheme was initiated by Mr Fahey when he was minister for the marine in 2001. It was designed to provide replacement tonnage for sunken vessels, to encourage families to stay in fishing and was limited to dates between 1980 and 1989. Some six applications were accepted from a total of 67. The Byrne family from Bruckless, Co Donegal, lodged a complaint after their late application to the scheme was turned down. Francis Byrne and his 16-year-old son were lost along with three crew off northwest Donegal in October 1981, when the MFV Skifjord sank.
Danny Byrne, who was eight at the time of the sinking, took the complaint on behalf of his mother who was left to raise a young family of five boys and three girls. Mr Byrne contended that the scheme was not advertised widely.
The Ombudsman’s investigation concludes that the Byrne family’s application did not meet at least two of the conditions of the scheme, but that the family was adversely affected by the decision to reject its application. Ms O’Reilly did not uphold five other complaints lodged.
Ms O’Reilly also found that “the design of the scheme and the manner in which it was advertised were contrary to fair and sound administration and that these shortcomings were factors in the Byrne family not qualifying for assistance under the scheme”.
Mr Fahey said yesterday he welcomed the publication of “all the facts”, particularly the comments that the scheme did not provide financial support, but did provide tonnage for a replacement vessel.
“The report also shows that I specifically changed the original terms of reference in order to ensure that successful applicants could not dispose of the tonnage for financial gain,” Mr Fahey said.
“This is contrary to what was stated in some subsequent, inaccurate media reports about the scheme. Nothing herein should be taken as in any way to detract from the tragic circumstances giving rise to this complaint,” he added.
Jim Higgins MEP complimented the Ombudsman on “one of the most detailed and forensic reports” he had seen.
“The scheme cost €2.8 million – only six applicants were deemed eligible, and two of Frank Fahey’s constituents got 75 per cent or €2.1 million of the total funds, whereas the other four successful applicants were left with the crumbs,” Mr Higgins said.