asked the Minister for Health if he is prepared to adopt regulations, under the International Sanitary Convention, 1926, to which this country is a signatory, making it compulsory for the captains or masters of foreign ships entering Irish ports to present a declaration of health to the appropriate authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Regulations.
Under regulations as to cholera, yellow fever and plague, made in 1908, the master of a ship coming from a foreign port is obliged to inform the customs officer who boards the vessel on its arrival, concerning health conditions on board the ship and in certain circumstances the customs officer may require the master to furnish the information required by the regulations in the form of a written certificate. If the customs officer as a result of his inquiries has reason to suppose that the ship is infected or suspected, he must detain it and report to the appropriate sanitary authority. The regulations also require the medical officer of health of a sanitary authority to visit and examine a ship if he has reason to suppose that it is infected or suspected, even if no detention report has been furnished by a customs officer.
Improved regulations under the Health Act, 1947, to deal with ships arriving from foreign ports, are in course of preparation and it is hoped to bring them into operation at an early date.