Skip to main content
Normal View

Employment Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Questions (749)

Joe Higgins

Question:

749. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on an incident detailed in the press statement (details supplied) issued by representatives of the International Transport Workers Federation, the response of the authorities and the demands made by the ITF representative of his Department. [7082/13]

View answer

Written answers

A Port State Control inspection of the particular vessel was carried out by the Marine Survey Office (MSO) of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. These inspections are carried out to check for compliance with international law.

The MSO detain any ship which poses a safety hazard or which does not comply with the international requirements on living and working arrangements. In this case the vessel was detained for safety reasons and released when these issues were resolved   Non-payment of wages is not in itself a basis for detention of a vessel by surveyors of my Department.

The payment of wages on foreign flagged ships is a matter for the flag state where the ship is registered and is a matter for the internal domestic law of that country, which in this case is the United Kingdom.

I am advised that An Garda Síochána engaged with the Indonesian crew of the vessel. The Gardaí provided accommodation for them and contacted the Indonesian Embassy on their behalf. They also facilitated their return to Indonesia. Any other requirement for information in relation to Garda engagement with the crewmen should be referred to my colleague the Minister for  Justice and Equality.

Top
Share