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Reporter: (Inaudible.)
Secretary for Transport and Housing: I don't think we are evading responsibility. To start with immediately after the vessel collision incident took place, the Chief Executive decided to set up an independent Commission of Inquiry. That is a very first step that we took in order to find out what really happened. As you know the Commission of Inquiry has come up with a very detailed report. Now of course we are following up that report in terms of the observations and findings, as well as recommendations.
In terms of follow-up actions, first of all we are conducting an internal investigation into the issues pointed out by the Commission of Inquiry report. If that process will establish that there are officers involved in malpractice, misconduct or any other failure, then we will deal with such matters in accordance with civil service procedures including disciplinary proceedings. Should we discover or should the internal inquiry discover that there are any criminal issues, of course the case will be referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies. At the same time we are mindful of the urge of the Commission of Inquiry to conduct a comprehensive systemic review. That is what we are doing, and that's why the Steering Committee on Systemic Reform of the Marine Department was established.
I think it will be fair to say that the Administration is taking all the steps necessary to discharge responsibility for the matter.
Reporter: (Inaudible.)
Secretary for Transport and Housing: Good question. I think we can always say in hindsight that perhaps some matters could have been looked at earlier. But as far as this Government is concerned, the occurrence of the vessel collision incident last October has unveiled a range of issues and a range of problems. These problems are highlighted in the report of the Commission of Inquiry. Therefore we feel that it is incumbent on the current Government to embark on a comprehensive and in-depth review of the department including in particular the department's operation relating to maritime safety and vessel safety.
We want the review to be very extensive. Of course in the process of the review we set a two-phase approach. In the first phase we try to come up with more immediate procedural improvements. Then later on we will focus on systemic, more structural aspects of the department.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:50
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