Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

92 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department that have not yet been published; and the statutory instruments, if any, being prepared in his Department. [13976/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The following legislation and statutory instruments are currently being prepared within my Department.

Maritime Safety Division:

Merchant Shipping (Cargo Ship Construction and Survey) Rules (Amendment) Rules, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Rules (Amendment) Rules, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules (Amendment) Rules, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Rules (Amendment) Rules, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Radio) Rules (Amendment) Rules, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) (Countries of Acceptance) Order, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Fees) Order, 1998. Merchant Shipping (Sea Angling Passenger Boat) Regulations, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boats) Regulations, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Ro-Ro Passenger Ship Survivability) Rules, 1998.

Merchant Shipping European Communities (Safety Management on roll-on/roll-off Passenger Ferries) Regulations, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) Regulations, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Certification of Seamen) Act, 1979 (Section 9 Inquiries) Regulations, 1998.

Merchant Shipping (Radio Installation) (Amendment) Rules, 1984 (Revocation) Order, 1998.

Amendment of Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules, 1968 (S. I. No. 205 of 1968).

With regard to Fishing Vessel Safety, it is proposed to introduce comprehensive safety regulations for fishing vessels on foot of recommendations of the Fishing Vessel Safety Review Group. The proposed statutory instruments will cover fishing vessels, radiocommunications equipment, safety training and manning. The proposed effect of these regulations is to:

set down specific requirements for fishing vessels in relation tointer alia, construction and stability, machinery, electrical equipment, fire protection, fire fighting appliances and life saving appliances, and to introduce a strict enforcement regime through regular structural surveys and equipment inspections;

set down the marine radiocommunication and ancillary equipment required to be carried on board fishing vessels and to provide for regular surveys of same, in order to improve the safety of vessels and their crews by ensuring a rapid search and rescue response to vessels in distress;

provide for mandatory basis safety training for fishing vessel crews with a view to protecting fishermen's lives in the event of an accident at sea;

introduce new manning requirements to raise skill levels on fishing vessels.

Marine Environment

Legislation being prepared but not yet published:

Sea Pollution (Amendment) Bill.

Pollution of the Sea by Hazardous and Noxious Substances (Civil Liability and Compensation) Bill.

Statutory Instruments in preparation:

Oil Pollution of the Sea (Annual Returns and Contributions in respect of Compensation Fund) Regulations.

Oil Pollution of the Sea (Civil Liability and Compensation) (Insurance of Ships) Regulations.

Oil Pollution of the Sea (Civil Liability and Compensation) (Convention countries) Order.

Sea Pollution (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) Regulations.

Coastal Zone Administration

Statutory instrument being finalised for bringing into effect on 30 June 1998 the new and transparent aquaculture licensing arrangements provided in the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 (No. 23), including the establishment of a statutory Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board to consider and decide on appeals by licence applicants and others against licensing decisions under the Act.

Fishery Harbours

It is anticipated that a Fisheries (Common Fisheries Policy) (Control) Order will also be made. The order will,inter alia, consolidate all secondary legislation relating to the provisions of the EU Control Regulation (Reg 2847/93 and amendments) and the provisions of the Logbook Regulation (Reg 2807/93 and amendments) and the provisions of the Logbook Regulation (Reg 2807/83 and amendments).

As regards legislation for this area it is my intention to prepare legislative proposals for new management structures for the Fishery Harbour Centres.

Inland Fisheries

Legislation currently in preparation in this area:

Foyle Fisheries Commission Bill to broaden the remit of the Foyle Fisheries Commission to include aquaculture and development of fisheries.

Fisheries (Amendment) Bill to reform inland fisheries structures and management.

Petroleum Affairs Division

I intend making statutory instruments as provided for under existing legislation to establish safety zones around petroleum drilling operations which will be carried out in our Continental Shelf this year.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

93 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the Acts and provisions of Acts under the auspices of his Department which, as of 1 June 1998, are not in force because a commencement order has not been made; whether it is proposed to make an order in each case; and, if so, when this will be made. [13991/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The information sought is being compiled and will be conveyed to the Deputy as soon as possible.