Vol. 482 No. 1
73 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will give details of safety regulations which apply to boats providing access transport to offshore islands; if he has satisfied himself that such regulations apply in the case of transport being operated to all inhabited offshore islands at the present time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17457/97]
The Merchant Shipping Act, 1992, requires that all passenger vessels are licensed or certified under the Act and my Department deals with any applications for such licences or certificates.
Any suspected breaches of the provisions of the Act should in the first instance be brought to the notice of the local Garda Síochána who are responsible for law enforcement in general. Staff of my Department carry out inspections of passenger vessel operations from time to time and act appropriately where the statutory provisions are not being adhered to.
