Vol. 473 No. 6
301 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine the conflict of interest, if any, which arises in relation to the surveying of a vessel (details supplied) in County Galway by the marine survey office in his Department; whether there has been unanimity among staff in the marine survey office in relation to the condition of the vessel concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2046/97]
302 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine the person who has been proposed as the alternative Master for a vessel (details supplied) in County Galway as per a letter from his Department dated 13 January 1997; whether the individual concerned has undergone an examination by the marine survey office in order to obtain the approval of his Department; if so, when and where did the examination take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2047/97]
303 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine whether a staff member from the marine survey office in his Department was involved in any way in the design of a vessel (details supplied) in County Galway; whether this staff member is still employed in the marine survey office; if so, the capacity under which they are employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2048/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 301, 302 and 303 together.
I can assure the Deputy that no conflict arises in relation to the surveying of the vessel by the marine survey office of my Department. Nor does the question of unanimity among staff in the Marine Survey Office arise in relation to the condition of the vessel. The fact is that, since its introduction as a passenger ferry in 1983, the vessel has, as part of its annual survey, been inspected by four different engineer and ship surveyors from the Marine Survey Office, all of whom have declared the vessel to be fit for operation.
The sole function of the marine survey office in relation to the design of this, or indeed any other passenger ferry, would be to either accept or reject design proposals submitted to it, from the perspective of compliance with relevant passenger ship construction rules and life saving appliance rules. No member of the Marine Survey Office was involved in the design of the vessel.
Finally, I have arranged to have details forwarded to the Deputy regarding the individual who, having been successful in his examination by the Marine Survey Office in Dublin on 17 January last, has been approved by my Department to act as Master of the vessel in question from that date.
