Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
28. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any engagement with the fishing community regarding the statutory instrument which came into effect on 1 July 2023, requiring fishing vessels longer than 15 m to have a fully qualified second skipper on board at all times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33817/23]
View answerThe Marine Survey Office (MSO) which is under the remit of my colleague Minister Eamonn Ryan and the Department of Transport, 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 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.
