Vol. 502 No. 5
23 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps or procedures, if any, his Department is putting in place in conjunction with the Department of Defence and boating clubs for the safe collection and disposal of distress flares which are no longer of use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8572/99]
The chairman of the Irish marine search and rescue committee, which comprises broadly based representation from State and voluntary groups involved in maritime safety, has appointed a small sub group of the committee to develop proposals for the safe disposal of expired pyrotechnics used by seafarers in distress.
The sub group includes representation from my Department, the Defence Forces, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the RNLI. The group's aim is to develop structures to facilitate the safe delivery of expired pyrotechnics by nominated parties to the Defence Forces for disposal. It is also intended to produce an information leaflet, giving guidance to seafarers on the matter, which will form part of the safety on the water series of guidelines, published from time to time by my Department.
