Vol. 544 No. 4
92 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by trade union officials regarding the treatment of crews on vessels operating under flags of convenience; if he has received representations from the trade unions on this matter; if he will take steps to have such vessels returned to flags of the country of ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28921/01]
I can confirm that my attention has been drawn by the International Transport Workers' Federation to its concerns about the treatment of crews on vessels operating under flags of convenience. The position on the points raised by the federation has been spelt out in replies to various parliamentary questions and in an Adjournment Debate statement on 3 October last. In summary, I have noted the points raised by the International Transport Workers' Feder ation and I have responsibilities in relation to the Irish Ship Register – the operation of other ship registers is governed by applicable national and international law.
As the Deputy is aware, all merchant vessels of any significant size must be registered. There are more than 140 ship registers in operation world-wide. Ship registers impose obligations on ship owners regarding maintenance, crewing standards and certification of those matters by the flag state or inspection bodies duly authorised by the flag state. Foreign registered vessels using Irish ports are inspected regularly by the Marine Survey Office of my Department in the exercise of Ireland's port-State control obligations. These inspections are aimed at ensuring that such vessels are maintained and operated in compliance with international safety standards laid down by the International Maritime Organisation and, in relation to seafarers' social conditions, by the International Labour Organisation's maritime conventions. Deficiencies identified, including those in relation to seafarers' working and living conditions, are brought to the attention of the owner and flag state administration and may have to be rectified before the ship continues its journey.
The Commission and the member states are increasingly concerning themselves with maritime transport issues. In that context there is growing appreciation that the question of social conditions on board ships is an essential component of maritime transport safety. In that regard, two recent EU directives are of particular relevance.
Council Directive 1999/63/EC on the Organisation of Working Time for Seafarers is the EU formalisation of an agreement reached between the Federation of Transport Workers Union and the European Community Shipowners' Association. Council Directive 1999/95/EC covers the enforcement by means of inspections of provisions in respect of seafarers' hours of work on board ships calling at community ports. Both directives will be effective by 30 June 2002. My Department is engaged in discussions with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the modalities for implementing the directives. The operation and enforcement of these directives, when fully implemented, will go a considerable way towards addressing concerns in relation to crewing conditions.
