Michael Ring
Question:57 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the 1998 Protocol on Safety of Life at Sea will be signed. [26566/98]
Written Answers. - Safety at Sea.
Alan Shatter
Question:71 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the 1998 Protocol on Safety of Life at Sea will be signed. [26567/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 71 together as these are identical.
I presume the issue to which the Deputies refer is the implementation, in Irish law, of the provisions of the 1988 Protocol relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.
My Department has prepared a draft statutory instrument to give full effect to the provisions of the 1988 Protocol. These draft regulations are currently being settled in the Attorney General's Office, and I intend to introduce them once settlement has been completed by that office.
When these regulations are in place, giving the terms of the 1988 Protocol full effect in national law, Ireland will be in a position to ratify the Protocol. I propose to then pursue this course of action with the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has responsbility for such matters.