Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 May 1992

Vol. 419 No. 9

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

78 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the cause of the time delay in court cases involving excessive speed by vessels in Galway Bay being brought to a hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Written Answers. - Speeding Vessels.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

79 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine the present position when speeding vessels continue speeding after being fined; and whether there is provision for him to suspend Irish certificates of competency for a period of time or to withdraw the use of British certificates of competency in Irish waters for a period of time for offending vessels.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

80 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the fact that there is no harbour master on Kilronan or the Aran Islands, he will request the assistance of the Gardaí in noting the names of vessels speeding into and out of Kilronan as this is a very dangerous practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

81 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine if he will ensure that his Department's officials are extra vigilant in observing vessels entering and leaving Rossaveal Harbour, Connemara, County Galway, at excessive speed as this is considered a very dangerous practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 79, 80 and 81 together. I presume the Deputy is referring to incidents last summer at Rossaveel Fishery Harbour Centre.

My Department's harbour master at Rossaveel is and will continue to be vigilant in ensuring that vessels operating in the harbour comply with the maximum speed of five knots stipulated in the Fishery Harbour Centres (Management, Control, Operation and Development) Bye-Laws, 1979.

I have requested the Harbourmaster to issue reminders to all Harbour users concerning the speed limits and the penalties involved.

The master of a passenger ferry was recently fined when found guilty of breaching the speed limit during August, 1991. I do not consider that the time between the offence and Court hearing was excessive.

In the event that persons continue speeding after conviction, they will be pursued with the full rigour of the law.

Under Section 9 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1979, I am empowered, as Minister for the Marine, to set up an inquiry into the fitness or conduct of a holder of an Irish Certificate of Competency. The inquiry may cancel or suspend the Certificate of Competency Pending the outcome of the inquiry, I am enabled to suspend the Certificate.

As Minister for the Marine I have no power to remove or suspend United Kingdom Certificates of Competency. Alleged offences by holders of UK Certificate in Irish waters may be reported to the UK authorities who are empowered to take the necessary action.

As regards Kilronan, Galway County Council are responsible for that harbour and I will convey the Deputy's complaints to the County Council for appropriate follow up. The Marine Surveyors in my Department monitor vessels plying to and from the Aran Islands on a regular basis, i.e. fortnightly in the high season. In view of the complaints as to speeding I have instructed Marine Surveyors to pay particular attention to this aspect in their monitoring process.