Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
1249. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on proposals to cut the pay and conditions of maritime workers in the services of a company (details supplied) in the Irish Sea; and if any proposal to introduce a payscale for mariners below the Irish and UK minimum wage rates is in accordance with Irish workplace and maritime safety laws. [13362/14]
View answer1251. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of ferry companies on the Irish Sea on passenger and freight routes (details supplied) are currently providing rates of pay to seafarers well below the Irish minimum wage rate of €8.65 per hour and the UK minimum wage rate of €6.31 per hour; and the action he proposes to take to ensure that companies involved in Irish transport services pay at least the Irish minimum wage. [13397/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1249 and 1251 together.
None of the vessels of the ferry companies concerned are registered on the Irish flag. The level of payment of wages on ships is a matter for the flag state where the ship is registered and the internal domestic law of that country. Responsibility for pay levels on board Irish flagged ships rests with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
