Vol. 509 No. 5
28 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the membership of the recently established action group on small boats; the terms of reference of the action group; the criteria used in appointing members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/99]
34 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has to extend the marine safety review to cover inland waterways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20696/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 34 together.
The action group which I have recently established to carry out a comprehensive review of the safe use of small recreational craft, including jet skis and fast power craft, includes representatives of relevant agencies and Departments as well as nominees from the broad spectrum of the marine leisure sector. The review will cover the use of recreational water craft throughout the country in both coastal waters and in all inland waterways, including lakes, rivers and canals.
The broad range of representation chosen will ensure the necessary level of expertise required to tackle the important subject at hand. The action group will engage in a full consultation process which will provide the opportunity for interested parties or organisations to put forward their views and ideas. In this regard, an advertisement has already been placed in the national press inviting submissions to the group by 27 October 1999. Indeed, the first stage of this consultative process took place on Monday last in Athlone where a seminar was held by the Marine Institute on jet skis and fast power craft. I understand that members of the action group attended and played an active part in the seminar. There are 23 members on the group, including the chairman, and I am arranging to have the full list of membership circulated for Deputies' information.
The terms of reference for the action group are: to determine the current extent, nature and trends of usage of small powered recreational craft, including jet skis, by location, user characteristics, accidents and issues arising etc.; assess and review the adequacy of existing legislation and practice governing the use for personal purposes of such craft; review best practice in other jurisdictions on how to ensure maximum safety for persons using such craft and other water users arising from the use of these craft; and, make recommendations on a best practice model for introduction in Ireland having regard to the overriding necessity to avoid accident and loss of life, the need to avoid nuisance or distress to other water users, the need to have an adequate policing regime and the need to avoid undue bureaucracy.
The group should submit an interim report by mid-November 1999 and a final report by end February 2000. The interim report will make recommendations on the form of any necessary framework legislation. The final report will include proposals for any necessary regulations and other measures needed to establish a best practice regime in Ireland.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I welcome the setting up of the action group and look forward to its recommendations. The formation of the group is long overdue – Deputy Finucane and I have raised the matter on a number of occasions. I do not want to cast aspersions on anyone, but is the Minister satisfied that no member of the group is currently under investigation for any activity in regard to the ongoing tribunals of inquiry? If any particular person is under investigation for illegal offshore activity, will the Minister ensure that such a person is removed from the action group?
The Deputy's question is hypothetical. When he sees the list of people selected for membership of the group, he will note they are people of tremendous knowledge. As I understand it, no member of the action group is guilty of anything at this moment and, consequently, the group's members will proceed to act in accordance with the terms of reference.
I accept the Minister's explanation and I am sure all the members of the action group are very prominent and respectable people. I am merely asking whether the Minister is satisfied that neither the chairman nor any of the members of the action group are, or are likely to be, under investigation in relation to any of the activities currently being investigated by the various tribunals.
I do not wish to cast aspersions on anyone and I am sure the Deputy will understand my reluctance to do so. As of now, as I understand it, no member of the group is guilty of any misdemeanour and, until such time as any such evidence is shown to me, I am certainly not prepared to do any more about it.
While I understand the Minister's caution in this matter, it has been claimed that one of the group's members holds an Ansbacher account, although I accept that his appointment preceded that claim being made in the newspapers. However, will the Minister assure the House that if, when due process has been followed, any board or task force member is found guilty of fraudulent tax practices and of investing in an Ansbacher account, he or she will not be allowed to remain on a committee?
Without referring to any member of this or any other board, I agree with the Deputy that if a member of this or any other board were to be found guilty of fraud, he or she would have to be removed.
Question No. 29 concerns a matter of great importance and interest to me but I would be grateful if it could be resubmitted for the next oral Question Time.
Go raibh maith agat. We move on to Question No. 30.
