Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 5

Written Answers. - Car Ferry Accidents.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

67 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the number of car ferry accidents in Irish waters in the past 24 months; the investigations that were carried out; the measures, if any, that have been introduced to prevent such recurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

In the last two years the Department has carried out three investigations into incidents involving car ferries operating on Irish routes irrespective of whether the incidents occurred within or outside Irish waters.

The report of the investigation into the cause of the deaths of two children on board the Celtic Pride in August 1992 was published in February 1993. The report of the investigation into the incident involving the Havelet, which occurred in March 1992 outside Irish waters, was published last month. In addition the Department's deputy chief surveyor reported to me on his first hand assessment of the incident involving the Stena Hibernia last January and which also occurred outside Irish waters.

Following theCeltic Pride accident steps were taken immediately to ensure the safety of sewage systems on passenger ferries operating into this country. The sewage systems of all such vessels are now inspected annually. At Ireland's initiative, the International Maritime Organisation is working on the introduction of international standards for the design, construction and operation of sewage systems on ships. In light of the Stena Hibernia and Havelet incidents a thorough going review is underway of a number of ferry practices and procedures including the loading and securing of vehicles and cargo units. The national ferry safety committee, which is chaired by the Department's chief surveyor and represents all the ferry companies operating into Irish ports, will report to me shortly on ways in which current practices can be improved to enhance safety particularly in adverse weather conditions.

The safe operation of car ferries operating on Irish routes is a matter of the highest priority. It is in order to ensure that such vessels operate to the highest standards of safety, as well as to assuage public concerns about ferry safety in light of these recent incidents, that I have ordered this review. I am satisfied that we can introduce any necessary improvements in practices within the existing legislative framework but where our assessment points to the need for a strengthening in the international legal framework the International Maritime Organisation will again be urged to expedite the necessary changes.