Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 3

Written Answers - Marine Safety.

Michael Ring

Question:

168 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will suspend the Merchant Shipping Act 2002, until such time as he has met with all interested parties, in particular a group (details supplied) in County Mayo. [9293/03]

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

My primary concern, as Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, is to enhance safety at sea and on inland waterways. It would not be in the interests of safety to suspend the implementation of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat) Regulations made under the Merchant Shipping Act 1992, to take into account the concerns of one particular group.

I met the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers on Tuesday, 3 December 2002 to discuss the regulations. Furthermore, the director general of the Maritime Safety Directorate met with representatives of the Belmullet Sea Angling Club in Westport on 25 March 2003 and an information seminar on the regulations was held on the same night at the request of the Connacht Provincial Council of the IFSA.