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Water Sports Vehicles.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004

Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Questions (12)

Liz McManus

Question:

106 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of local authorities that have implemented bye-laws regulating the use of jet skis; the steps he intends to take to ensure that all local authorities introduce such bye-laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/04]

View answer

Oral answers (3 contributions)

The operation of jet skis and other high-powered leisure watercraft in areas where bathing takes place, in harbours and other places frequented by water users has been a matter of particular concern to me. A key objective of mine is that local authorities should adopt bye-laws for the safe operation of jet skis in their areas of responsibility and, to this end, my Department has been encouraging all local authorities to adopt suitable bye-laws. To date, nine local authorities have done so and a number of others are considering them.

A legal issue has arisen regarding the making of these bye-laws in respect of water areas not directly under the control of a local authority. My Department held discussions with officials from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the matter. As a result of these discussions I intend to introduce a comprehensive legislative package this year to assist local authorities in adopting regulations relating to the operation of jet skis in any waters within their jurisdiction where such controls are required.

I am delighted to hear the announcement by the Minister regarding more effective legislation. My colleague, Deputy O'Shea, has regularly raised this issue in the House, and there have been a number of serious tragedies relating to jet skis in the south-east and other parts of the country. Is there not a sense of urgency about this matter? On the Fingal coastline in north Dublin, there remain areas where the local bye-laws have not yet come into effect. It is not good enough that bye-laws are in effect only in eight out of 40 major local authorities. Can this matter be expedited, perhaps before the summer?

I assure the Deputy that I am giving high priority to this matter. I want to ensure that as many local authorities as possible have the legislative power to enforce the regulations. As I said earlier, there is some doubt as to whether the local authorities have this power regarding waters not within their direct functional areas. As a result of that, and the advice of the Attorney General, we are expediting this legislation and liaising with the local authorities. We are planning discussions and a forum with them, so as to ensure a uniform implementation of the regulations. We are trying to ensure this is in place for the summer.

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