Vol. 544 No. 4
121 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress made on the action group on small powered recreational craft on insurance and registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29130/01]
On 1 July 2001, I introduced new regulations governing the safe use of personal watercraft, jet skis, fast power craft and other mechanically propelled pleasure craft. These are an initial phase of regulations which have been developed by my Department as a result of the recommendations made in the report of the action group on small powered recreational craft, including personal watercraft, which was presented to me in April 2000.
Specifically, the new regulations implement the recommendations which had been made in relation to the carriage and use of appropriate lifejackets, the minimum age under which persons should not be allowed to operate personal watercraft and fast power craft and restrictions on the use of alcohol and drugs. In addition, the regulations provide that persons who operate personal watercraft, jet skis, and fast power craft in a dangerous or careless manner can be prosecuted for such behaviour.
The ministerial action group made other recommendations relating to issues such as insurance and registration of recreational craft as well as training and competence of users. These issues will now be addressed in greater detail by my Department, in full consultation with those in the sector, in order to design a second phase of legislative provisions which are reasonable and practical and which can be introduced as soon as possible.
