Vol. 536 No. 2
152 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position on the consultative process which was to be completed at the end of April 2001 concerning mandatory safety training; the timescale envisaged to move the matter on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13577/01]
The implementation of the mandatory safety training initiative for fishermen, which I announced on 28 January last, is a major undertaking and will take time. My Department, in conjunction with BIM, is finalising the details of the proposed training scheme and it is expected that the proposals will be circulated to the fishing industry representative organisations for their views and comments during May. The industry will need to be given a reasonable time to consider the proposals.
When the views of the fishing industry are received and considered, the necessary statutory instrument will be prepared.
