Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
280. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport the number of Irish flagged fishing vessels over 15 m in length that have been inspected by the Marine Survey Office annually since 1 January 2018 and, in respect of the number of the said vessels, if the official log book had been returned to the Marine Survey 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. [14268/21]
View answerThe 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. In 2020, 67 such inspections were completed. During 2021, 12 such inspections have so far 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 (MMO), 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, 228 in 2019 and 206 in 2020.
