Vol. 571 No. 4
362 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he has taken or proposes to take at EU level to eliminate maritime disasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22402/03]
I have supported a number of key initiatives at EU level aimed at preventing maritime disasters like the Prestige incident off the coast of Spain in November 2002 and the Erika incident off France in 1999. Earlier this year the EU Council of Ministers agreed to accelerate the phasing out of single-hull tankers from EU waters and the introduction of a ban on the carriage of certain grades of heavy fuel oil in single hull tankers. Ireland is also playing a full role in the new European Maritime Safety Agency, which held its first meeting in December 2002. One of the key objectives of the agency is to support member states in identifying ships which have the potential to cause pollution incidents and prevent them operating in EU waters.
I have also taken a number of measures at national level to both prevent major accidents taking place and to strengthen our response capability. I have appointed nine new marine surveyors to step up the level of port state control inspections. Ireland now exceeds its international obligations in undertaking detailed inspections of ships visiting our ports. Our emergency response plans relating to major oil pollution incidents is currently being updated. I have also announced that I will bring proposals to Government shortly for the establishment of a new independent agency with responsibility for all marine safety issues. The agency will have specific responsibility for pollution prevention and response, and I believe this measure will significantly strengthen Ireland's ability to both prevent and deal with maritime disasters around our coastline in the future.
