Paul Kehoe
Question:145 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if new guidelines regarding the wearing of lifejackets will be introduced in the first half of 2003. [6339/03]
Written Answers - Water Safety.
Emmet Stagg
Question:172 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects that the review of safety measures on small watercraft announced by him on 13 August 2002 will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6277/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 172 together.
The review of safety on small watercraft which I asked the Maritime Safety Directorate to undertake last August, is focusing on the requirements to wear life jackets, licensing requirements, enforcement and improved safety awareness.
The Maritime Safety Directorate published a consultation paper last November seeking views in respect of the adequacy of legislation regarding the carrying and wearing of life jackets or personal flotation devices, PFDs. The directorate wishes to ascertain the extent of public consensus in support of the statutory obligation to wear life jackets or PFDs on pleasure craft in a wider array of circumstances than is currently the case, including on all small open decked craft and on non-mechanically propelled craft.
This paper was aimed at as wide an audience as possible in order that all interested parties can give their views on this important safety subject. The Maritime Safety Directorate requested interested parties to respond by 31 December 2002 and I encouraged the widest possible participation in this consultation process.
I am delighted to state that more than 100 submissions have been received to date. The directorate continued to receive detailed submissions on this subject up to the beginning of this month, which is a testament to the level of interest in this matter.
The submissions are currently being assessed and I will bring forward proposals for any necessary regulatory change on the mandatory wearing and carrying of life jackets as quickly as possible following this assessment of the public response. Examination of the issues surrounding the other elements of the review is also under way and I propose to publish any proposals which emerge to address these areas as soon as the deliberations have been completed.