Madam, – Now that the Minister of Defence had decided not to raise Asgard II, the task at hand is to find a replacement so that sail training in Ireland can continue as soon as possible.
I understand that Coiste an Asgard plans to book berths on foreign vessels for trainees who wish to sail this summer. Meanwhile, the Jeanie Johnstonis laying idle in Dublin's docklands, with no plans to sail her in the immediate future.As the Jeanie Johnstonis owned by a State body, surely it would make perfect sense for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to lend the ship to Coiste an Asgard so it can conduct sail training on an Irish vessel. The Jeanie Johnston has been used for this purpose in the past and, having sailed on her in a senior capacity on such voyages, I am confident she would be a most suitable replacement for Asgard II.
A ship lying idle, without a crew on board, will inevitably fall into disrepair, so the Jeanie Johnston, as well as the DDDA, would also benefit from such an arrangement. – Yours, etc,