The captain of the national sail training vessel, Asgard II, has spoken for the first time about the future of the ship since it sank in September.
In an interview with RTÉ, Captain Colm Newport said he wants to see it raised and returned to its work of training young people.
The insurers have agreed to the ship being lifted and another underwater survey is to be carried out to check its condition.
Since the ship sank, Captain Newport has been involved in examining whether Asgard II can be raised.
An initial survey showed it to be in good condition and Captain Newport said a salvage firm had now been identified with the aim of lifting the vessel intact.
An investigation is still under way into the cause of the sinking, but Captain Newport hopes the Minister for Defence will approve the operation to lift and restore the vessel.
Meanwhile, the committee that operated the ship on behalf of the Department is trying to lease a vessel to keep the sail-training programme going this year.
