Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
239 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has for improved maritime safety; the most recent marine regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29148/04]
View answerThe maritime safety directorate in the Department was established in 2002. Since then a number of important initiatives have been taken, or are being taken to strengthen the maritime safety regime. A maritime safety Bill to provide the necessary powers to assist local authorities in adopting regulations against the improper use of certain fast powered craft such as jet skis in waters within their jurisdiction, is at an advanced stage. Work is currently underway on developing competency standards for skippers of domestic passenger ships and passenger boats with a view to introducing the necessary regulations in 2005.
The maritime safety directorate is also developing a registration system to enhance the safety of recreational craft. This new system will form part of an overhaul of the vessel registration process generally by the directorate, which will put safety at the centre of the process. A new safety code of practice on recreational craft has been recently published for consultation and I expect to introduce this code in 2005. In the fishing sector, the introduction of a safety code of practice for fishing vessels less than 15 m which is tied in to the licensing of fishing vessels by the sea fisheries administration division, is an important development in addressing the safety risks associated with this occupation.
There is ongoing development and monitoring of the maritime security regime to ensure that Irish vessels and port facilities remain fully compliant with the new security measures adopted in the wake of the events of 11 September 2001, thus ensuring the safety of passengers using Irish ports and vessels. Standards for all commercial sea-going vessels are developed and adopted at international level and the enforcement of all regulations governing the safety of vessels is a priority. My focus will be to continue to develop the maritime safety regime through a mixture of regulation and enforcement. A list of the most recent legislation introduced follows.
List of most recent statutory instruments for 2004 by SI number and title: SI 34 of 2004 European Communities (Passenger Ship) (Amendment) Regulations; SI 126 of 2004 European Communities (Merchant Shipping) (Training and Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2004; SI 81 of 2004 European Communities (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System) Regulations 2004; SI 259 of 2004 Merchant Shipping (Pleasure Craft) (Lifejackets and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2004; SI 422 of 2004 European Communities (Recreational Craft) (Amendment) Regulations 2004; SI 413 of 2004 European Communities (Ship and Port Facilities) Regulations 2004; and SI 709 of 2004 Merchant Shipping (Ro-Ro Passenger Ship Survivability) (Amendment) Rules 2004.
