Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 10

Written Answers. - Naval Service Qualifications.

Peadar Clohessy

Question:

54 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Marine the reason his Department does not recognise Naval Service marine engineering qualifications and sea time experience gained on naval service ships for the purpose of his Department's certificates of competency.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

I am pleased to be able to advise the Deputy that the Department already gives substantial recognition to Naval Service qualifications and experience for the purposes of awarding certificates of competency.

While naval cadetships and the academic content of naval training are already recognised in full, I understand that there have been difficulties in accepting the practical content of naval training as automatically equivalent to merchant shipping requirements. Naval vessel and merchant vessel "hands on" practices are quite different in many respects, reflecting the specialised nature of both of the respective services. However, the Department is reviewing the practical scope for increasing the present level of recognition of naval qualifications and I am hopeful that a way forward will be found to facilitate such a step which will be acceptable to all concerned.