Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - EU Directives.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

161 Ms Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps being taken to ensure full implementation of the 1995 EU directive requiring mandatory safety checks on ships entering Irish ports, having regard to the proceedings against Ireland started by the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1824/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

The main aim of Directive 95/21/EC on port state control is to eliminate substandard ships in community waters. To this end, the directive agrees common criteria for inspecting ships which use a port of the Community. These criteria comply with the undertakings given by the authorities of the member states under the Paris memorandum of understanding on port state control.

One of the directive's key provisions on port state control of ships lays down that at least 25% of the number of foreign ships entering the ports of a member state should be inspected. In Ireland, 400 port state control inspections were carried out in 2002 which represents an inspection rate of 30%. The corresponding figures for 2000 and 2001 are 14.6% and 21% respectively.

To enable Ireland to meet its port state control obligations, nine additional vessel surveyors were appointed to the maritime safety directorate within my Department during 2002. In addition, improved IT infrastructure and better communication arrangements externally with the port authorities and shipping agents will be introduced this year to further streamline the inspection operation. As Ireland did not reach this target in 1999, the Commission on 26 June 2002 decided to bring an action against the State in the European Court of Justice for failure to enforce legislation on the state control of vessels. However, the Commission has also intimated that it will consider withdrawing these proceedings in view of Ireland having exceeded the 25% target in 2002.

Port state control continues to be a very effective measure in encouraging full compliance with international safety standards. I have asked the maritime safety directorate to continue to give this work priority. To date, in 2003, 30 inspections have already been undertaken by the directorate, three of which have resulted in the detention of the ships involved. I am confident that Ireland will meet its port state control obligations once again in 2003.