(Limerick West): The Davies report deals with the matter purely from the point of view of maritime safety. The fire was extinguished by the crew of the vessel before the rescue services arrived, and the crew have been commended for this. Failings which are noted in the report are being pursued by the National Ferry Safety Committee and the marine fire response groups. I want to assure the Deputy that we are not taking a casual approach to this matter.
Irish registered passenger vessels are required to be equipped, maintained and operated to the highest international standards and in particular to those laid down in the International Maritime Organisation's Safety of Life at Sea Convention, 1974, known as SOLAS, which contains provisions concerning life saving appliances, stability, navigational facilities, fire protection, construction, surveys, radio installations and the carriage of dangerous goods. As the Deputy knows, the SOLAS Convention has given legal effect to this matter by a set of 33 statutory instruments. Passenger vessels registered in the State and foreign registered vessels within our territorial waters are required to comply with requirements laid down in these instruments.
Marine surveyors of the Department have powers under the Merchant Shipping Act to detain vessels which do not comply with these requirements. Therefore, far from washing our hands of the matter we are very much involved.