Mick Barry
Question:206. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57338/22]
View answerTuesday, 22 November 2022
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Written answers
The ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 was adopted at the 96th session of the International Labour Conference on 14 June 2007. The Convention aims to ensure decent conditions of work in fishing regarding minimum requirements for work on board, conditions of service, accommodation and food, occupational safety and health protection, and medical care and social security.
In May 2012, the EU social partners in the sea fisheries sector reached an agreement concerning the ILO Work in Fishing Convention. The agreement aimed to promote the ratification of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, create a level playing field within the EU fishing sector and improve the living and working conditions of fishers on board sea going fishing vessels. On 31 January 2017, Council Directive 2017/159 on the implementation of the social partners' agreement on the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
My department transposed this Directive in full in 2020 through a package of Regulations dealing with a range of issues such as:
- Hours of work and rest
- Manning
- Medical examinations
- Minimum age
- Fishing vessel owner liability and repatriation
- Food and accommodation
- Minimum safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on board vessels.
While the Directive reflects most of the requirements of the Work in Fishing Convention, there is a need to ratify the Convention before any remaining elements of the Convention could be provided for by relevant Departments. These elements include some additional requirements in relation to application of the Convention, payment of fishers, recruitment services, social protection and issuing of compliance certificates under the Convention.
As you know, primary legislation is required in the first instance to allow us to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention. In this regard, officials in my department are working on a general scheme for a planned Merchant Shipping (International Conventions) Bill. This is at the preparatory stages, prior to seeking Government approval for its drafting in due course. It is hoped that such approval will be received in the second half of 2023. The main purpose of the Bill is to provide the required legislative framework for Ireland to become a party to several international maritime conventions. Progress of any such Bill is, of course, subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in the first instance followed by passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.