Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
24. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what engagement his Department has had with the Minister and Department of Transport prior and present to the introduction of the European Union (International Labour Organisation Work in Fishing Convention) (Safe Manning) Regulations 2023, SI 315/2023, and its effect on the Irish fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34754/23]
View answerThe European Union (International Labour Organisation Work in Fishing Convention) (Safe Manning) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No 315 of 2023) transpose Article 10 of the Annex to Council Directive (EU) 2017/159 of December 2016 concerning the Work in Fishing Convention 2007 of the International Labour Organisation.
These Regulations apply to any sea-going ship or boat 15 metres in length overall and over registered in the State, of any nature whatsoever, irrespective of the form of ownership, used or intended to be used for the purpose of commercial fishing in the limited and unlimited areas.
The Marine Survey Office (MSO) which is under the remit of my colleague Minister for Transport Eamonn Ryan TD, is designated as the competent authority in the State for the purposes of this Regulation.
My Department has no direct role or responsibility for vessel safety, vessel manning or health & safety on board for crew, this falls under the remit of the MSO and Department of Transport.
However, in recognition of the legislative requirements affecting the crewing of Irish fishing vessels, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), an agency of my Department, has supported the industry through raising awareness and the provision of professional training.
Additional Courses were provided in both BIM colleges and in mid-2022 BIM undertook a communications campaign to highlight the legislation and the requirement of training and having adequate, qualified crew to ensure safe manning.
These adverts have been running monthly in the trade press since June 2022, were also featured on BIM social media platforms and communications were also displayed in BIM colleges highlighting the legislation and related training.
In addition BIM communicated with past students to highlight the above regulation and the training provided by BIM to enable achievement of the qualification.
If my colleague has any further requests on this regulation he may contact Minister Eamonn Ryan or the Department of Transport directly.
