I refer the Deputies to my statement during the course of the Adjournment Debate on 22 February last when I dealt with the tragedy at Dunmore East involving the sad loss of two canoeists, some of which is relevant to this discussion. My remarks tonight will not relate specifically to that accident; I do not yet have the report although I expect to receive it shortly.
There has been something of a boom in recent years in the number of Irish water sports enthusiasts. The range of such activity now embraces sailing boats, canoes, speed boats, surfers, jetskis, anglers, windsurfers, rowing boats, dinghies and perhaps others I cannot recall. This is, no doubt, a reflection of increased affluence, greater availability of leisure time and a growing appreciation of the wonderful amenity we have in our marine and inland waters. This is a development I very much welcome.
Recent tragedies and near fatalities involving leisure craft have, however, served to highlight the downside of this increasing participation in leisure crafting. While such incidents are tragic, that so many of them are preventable adds to our sense of sadness. Investigations by the Department of the Marine have shown time and again that the lives of boating enthusiasts have been lost because of a failure to adhere to basic safety practices.
Some people believe that the solution to this problem lies in increased legislation and regulation. This opinion tends to be voiced particularly in the aftermath of a tragedy involving leisure craft. This is an understandable reaction. It is, however, the considered opinion of many involved in this sector that formal State regulation of leisure craft activity would be neither appropriate nor practicable. I concur with this view. Even if the State were to undertake a regulatory safety role in the operation of leisure craft activities, it would be extremely difficult to monitor and enforce as people do not wish to feel the heavy hand of the State in their leisure pursuits.
The main role of the State has related to increasing general awareness of the need for basic safety practice as well as encouraging the representative associations and clubs to regulate their members. The Department of the Marine's annual safety awareness campaign will once again this year exhort the general public to "take time to think safety before taking to the water". This message will be reinforced through a series of meetings with leisure craft representative bodies, radio and newspaper advertising and the distribution of posters and leaflets setting out basic safety precautions. As part of this year's safety awareness campaign, I will shortly launch a code of safe practice for leisure craft, which has been drawn up by officials of my Department in consultation with the sector's representative bodies. We are also considering means of encouraging and requiring water sportswear manufacturers to incorporate reflective stripes in their products.
Everybody embarking on trips aboard leisure craft should set time aside for safety planning. This should include, as a minimum, wearing a lifejacket at all times and, offshore, particularly in hours of darkness, a safety harness; checking and taking account of the weather forecast for the area; checking locally regarding dangerous currents and strong tides — that is often best done by speaking to fishermen and people who know the area; checking the condition of the boat and its equipment; carrying an alternative means of propulsion, where that is possible, such as an additional oar, etc.; carrying a first aid kit and flares and, for larger boats, a marine radio or some means of communicating with the shore; leaving word ashore of proposed departure and arrival times, as well as details of the trip planned and, finally, being able to swim.
I am well aware that the majority of water sports enthusiasts, and their representative bodies, are responsible and educated in matters of safety but there are many more who have yet to realise that adhering to basic safety precautions can save their lives and the lives of others. I will ensure that our efforts to get this message across will be intensified in the coming months but I am reluctant to get into the business of heavy-handed State regulation, although that may ultimately come.
I thank Deputies Byrne and Kenneally for raising this most important subject in the House, particularly at this time of year which marks the beginning of the main boating season. I know their particular concern relates to leisure activities in Waterford harbour — unfortunately for good reason — but they will appreciate this is an issue of relevance right around our coast.
The Dáil adjourned at 9.25 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 6 April 1995.