Mr. Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question.
I want to report to him that this morning the master, or the owner, of the Estai posted bond in the order of $500,000 against his vessel. This is in addition to the $8,000 bail posted against the captain of the vessel a day or two before.
This is in keeping with the procedures of the Canadian judicial system, procedures that have been followed in similar circumstances with other vessels of similar size, shape and value.
We are very pleased to see that a bond has been posted. As a result the vessel and crew are free to leave at any time.
In addition to the bond being posted, some 130 tonnes of product have been removed from the vessel and is being held by the crown as evidence. It will be held in a storage facility and will be disposed of by the court at the end of the judicial proceedings.
There has been no negotiation, nor should there be in terms of the judicial proceedings themselves. I know the hon. Leader of the Opposition would agree with this. The proceedings have been conducted as they ought to be by the court in the normal manner.
Now that both a bond has been posted and there is no fishing on the nose and tail of the Grand Banks, this may well be an opportunity for talks. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister have given instructions to a negotiating team in Brussels. We shall see.