Vol. 483 No. 3
103 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps, if any, his Department is taking to amend the Merchant Shipping (Jet Skis and Fast Powerboats) Regulations, 1992 in view of the fact that these proved legally unsound and were inoperable; when the appropriate regulatory mechanism will be put in place in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20424/97]
The Merchant Shipping (Jet Skis and Fast Power Boat) Regulations, 1992 were introduced to enable local authorities, regional fisheries boards, harbour authorities and the Commissioners of Public Works to propose to the Department of the Marine that areas within, or in the seas adjoining, their jurisdiction be designated as unsuitable for the operation of these craft in the interests of the safety of pleasure craft and their occupants.
The measures are available only for the proportion of pleasure craft and their occupants and do not extend to the protection of swimmers, bathers or the natural environment as these matters have been deemed to be beyond the scope of the statutory powers of the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.
My Department has been examining all legislative options available to determine the most appropriate and effective means of regulating these craft with a view to providing for the improvement of safety for all water users.
In this regard consultations have taken place with the Department of the Environment and Local Government, whose Local Government Act, 1994 allows local authorities to make by-laws to deal with any nuisance that should be controlled or suppressed in the interests of the common good of the local community.
In addition I have recently decided to establish a group to examine the question of regulation of the marine leisure area, including jet skis and fast power boats. I can assure the Deputy that urgent consideration is being given by this group to dealing with such craft in the overall context of the expanding marine leisure sector.
