Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
83. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport what engagement he and his Department had prior to the introduction of the European Union (International Labour Organisation Work in Fishing Convention) (Safe Manning) Regulations 2023, SI 315/2023, and their impact on the Irish fishing industry; what plans he has for further engagement to discuss the impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34740/23]
View answerEnsuring that fishing vessels are sufficiently manned and that the crew working on board are appropriately trained are crucial for safety purposes. As referred to by the Deputy, I recently signed the European Union (International Labour Organisation Working in Fishing Convention) (Safe Manning) Regulations 2023 (SI 315/2023) which aim to achieve that objective.
Importantly, the regulations restate existing manning arrangements for fishing vessels which have been in force since 19 December 2019 and bring together the manning requirements for all fishing vessels, those 15m-24m in length and those over 24m, which had been set out in separate instruments up until now. They implement the manning requirements of the Annex to EU Directive 2017/159 implementing the Work in Fishing Convention. They also implement Regulation 14 of Chapter V of the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. Extensive consultation was undertaken with the social partners by the European Commission in the development of this Directive at EU level and then at national level by my Department with industry when developing the regulations to implement EU Directive 2017/159 in 2018 and 2019.
These regulations are progressively introducing a requirement for a safe manning document for all fishing vessels of 15m and over. They also set out the manning arrangements that must be put in place if there is no safe manning document in place. The manning requirements are being implemented over a four-year period which commenced in December 2019 to allow fishing vessel owners sufficient time to comply with its requirements.
The new manning regulations are part of a package of two new statutory instruments dealing with fishing vessel manning and qualifications, and are part of a modernisation of the arrangements for fishers. The manning regulations are complemented by the new certification arrangements set out in the Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) Regulations 2023 (SI 313/2023) which were developed following a recent consultation process set out in Marine Notice 83 of 2022. These regulations provide for a new qualification of Skipper (Limited) less than 24m.
Once the 4-year transitional period ends on 19 December this year, all fishing vessels will be required to carry a safe manning document issued by the Marine Survey Office before proceeding to sea. In relation to fishing vessels operating in the limited area between 15m in length overall and less than 24m in length that do not have a safe manning document in place yet, the requirement is for one officer: either a Skipper Limited less than 24m or a Second Hand Special. This has been clarified in Marine Notice No 43 of 2023 on the Safe Manning Document for fishing vessels.
In addition to the transitional periods being provided since 19 December 2019, I would also like to highlight that Regulation 7(9) of SI 315/2023 allows for the owner and master of a fishing vessel to propose that only one qualified skipper is necessary for their vessel in their application for an initial safe manning document. If the Marine Survey Office is satisfied with this proposal, it will issue a safe manning document for the vessel that is valid for two years. This two-year period will allow the owner and master the additional time needed to ensure that their personnel receive appropriate training, including training to become qualified skippers, before applying for a new safe manning document. Throughout the process, the Marine Survey Office will work with fishing vessel owners and masters to ensure safety while maintaining operations.
There is no question of fishing vessels not being able to operate on foot of these regulations. I am sure the Deputy will agree that the safety of fishing vessels and their crew is the priority, and I am satisfied that requirements put in place, along with suitable transition periods, ensures we achieve that objective.
