Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUBLIN646
2006-06-07 13:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:  

2006 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND

Tags:  KIDE EINV PGOV EFIN EI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0058
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDL #0646 1581355
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071355Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUBLIN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7038
UNCLAS DUBLIN 000646 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA/JPROSELI, L/CID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIDE EINV PGOV EFIN EI
SUBJECT: 2006 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND
EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS: REQUEST FOR EMBASSY INPUT: IRELAND

REF: STATE 60294

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000646

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA/JPROSELI, L/CID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIDE EINV PGOV EFIN EI
SUBJECT: 2006 REPORT ON INVESTMENT DISPUTES AND
EXPROPRIATION CLAIMS: REQUEST FOR EMBASSY INPUT: IRELAND

REF: STATE 60294


1. Below is Post's submission pursuant to Section 527 of the
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, requested ref A. There
have been updates to last year's submission,given
developments in the case before the Irish High Court (ref B).


2. The United State Government is aware of one (1) claim of
United States persons that may be outstanding against the
Government of Ireland (GOI).

(a) Claimant A

(b) 1995

(c) The dispute involves the salvage rights of a United
States citizen to the wreck of the Lusitania, an ocean liner
sunk off Ireland's southern coast in 1915. In 1995, the GOI
imposed a "Heritage Order" on the wreck site, designating it
part of the national historic patrimony and giving the GOI's
Heritage Service (now the Department of Environment and Local
Government) authority to regulate access to the site.
Claimant A, the Lusitania's owner, has twice applied for and
been denied access to the wreck on the grounds that the
proposed exploration would threaten the vessel's
preservation. In July 2001, Claimant A filed for judicial
review of the ruling, and the case came before the Irish High
Court in November 2003. In June 2005, the High Court ruled
that the GOI's action in the case had been expropriatory, but
reaffirmed the Government's right to license dives to the
vessel. The Irish Government appealed the ruling in November
2005, and the case is ongoing. Claimant A, who last
discussed the case with Post on May 25, 2006, has estimated
the Lusitania's value at USD 3-5 million.

Claimant A: Gregg Bemis, a U.S. citizen. To Post's
knowledge, Mr. Bemis has not signed a Privacy Act Waiver.
KENNY