Olwyn Enright
Question:128 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the additional legislation or codes of practice he intends to introduce in the area of water safety in 2003. [6338/03]
Written Answers - Water Safety.
My Department has an ongoing safety programme involving an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness promotion with the aim of achieving the highest level of safety at sea and on inland waters.
The Maritime Safety Directorate's business plan for 2003 includes an ambitious legislative programme which includes new comprehensive regulations governing fishing vessels, domestic passenger ships as well as transposing into national law EU Directives which strengthen the port state control regime for inspecting foreign vessels which come into our ports, and monitoring of the activities of classification societies which conduct survey inspections on behalf of flag states.
There may also be legislative changes required following the outcome of the review of safety measures on small watercraft, which is currently under way. This review which I initiated in August 2002, is focusing on the requirement to carry and wear lifejackets, licensing requirements, enforcement and increased safety awareness.
As part of this review the Department's Maritime Safety Directorate published a consultation paper last November seeking views in respect of the adequacy of existing legislation regarding the carrying and wearing of lifejackets or personal flotation devices PFDs. The directorate wishes, in particular, to ascertain the extent of public consensus in support of the statutory obligation to wear lifejackets or PFDs on pleasure craft in a wider array of circumstances than is currently the case, including on all open decked craft and on non-mechanically propelled craft. More than 100 submissions have been received, some very detailed, and these are currently being assessed.
Also, as part of the review I brought forward the date for implementation of new safety regulations applicable to passenger boats from June 2003 to 1 January 2003. A series of seminars have already taken place around the country organised by the Maritime Safety Directorate to promote the new passenger boat regulations. The Deputy can be assured that the safety on our waters is a priority for me and my Department.