Mick Barry
Question:
143. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport the Irish-flagged fishing vessels over 15 m in length that have been inspected by the Marine Survey Office annually since 1 January 2018; the number of vessels that had returned the official log book to the office as required by sections 239 to 242 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, as amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36060/20]
View answer
The information requested is currently being collated by my officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department has in place a programme of survey and inspection for fishing vessels which includes both unannounced and announced inspections. In 2018, the MSO carried out inspections of 145 fishing vessels of >15m length overall. In 2019, 141 such inspections were carried out. So far during 2020, 44 such inspections have been completed.
In relation to fishing vessels required by sections 239 to 242 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 as amended, to return the official log book to the Mercantile Marine Office, this information is not recorded. I can advise that the number of official log books returned to the MMO in respect of fishing vessels was 250 in 2018, 227 in 2019 and 187 so far in 2020.
