Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Jul 1993

Vol. 433 No. 5

Written Answers. - EC Safety at Sea Directives.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

93 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Marine if any European Directives on Safety at Sea are awaiting implementation in Ireland; if he will give details of the contents of these directives; the way in which they will be enforced or adopted; and when this will happen.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

Member states of the Community are obliged to bring into force, by 31 December 1994, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Council Directive 92/29/EEC, on minimum safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on board vessels. The Directive is designed to ensure that ships carry, and properly maintain, adequate medical equipment and medicines to permit the effective treatment of crews. The Department is currently engaged in consultations with the National Health and Safety Authority and the industry with a view to implementing the Directive within the required timeframe.

In addition, the Commission has proposed a number of draft Directives under the recently adopted action programme of priority measures to improve maritime safety and prevent marine pollution. They include, notably, a draft Directive on minimum reporting requirements for ships carrying dangerous and polluting goods; a draft Directive on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations; and a draft Directive on minimum levels of training for maritime occupations.

The Council of Ministers committed itself, on 8 June last, to make concrete progress on these proposals before the end of the year. The actual timeframe for implementation by member states cannot, however, be determined at this stage pending finalisation of the Directives themselves.