Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
235. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the number of unlicensed charter boats that have been fined and or prosecuted that were bringing paying passengers to Irish waters, by county, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24486/22]
View answerThe Merchant Shipping Act of 1992 provides for the licensing of passenger boats, that is boats carrying not more than twelve passengers for reward. Passenger boat operators who wish to engage in such operations, including charter boats where the crew is provided by the owner of the vessel, must hold a passenger boat licence. The Act also provides for the appointment of authorised officers including persons holding commissioned rank in the Permanent Defence Forces, members of An Garda Síochána, harbour masters, local authorities and Iarnród Éireann and persons authorised by the Minister.
There have not been any prosecutions of unlicensed passenger boats by my Department relating to incidents that took place in the last five years.
