As the House will be aware, one of the most serious maritime disasters in recent years occurred a fortnight ago with the sinking of the car ferry Estonia when, sadly, many hundreds of lives were lost. Such a tragedy must give rise to serious concerns about the safety levels in the construction and operation of car ferries, including those which carry thousands of Irish people in and out of this country daily. Sadly, the Estonia disaster constitutes but another sad chapter in ferry disasters. Indeed. one might well predict that another such tragedy could be expected in six or seven years' time based on their record to date.
We must decide that we cannot await another such tragedy, that as a country requiring ferry services, we must lead the way in pressing for an investigation of the cause or causes of these accidents and, more important, how they can be avoided in the future. We must ask why, with all the modern technology available, today's car ferries can sink much faster than, say, the huge vessel the Titanic which sank in the early part of this century. I am told that that ship took approximately two-and-a-half hours to sink whereas today's ro-ro ferries can sink within minutes. Therefore, it has to be acknowledged that many of today's passenger ships have become less rather than more safe.
At European Union level the Minister for the Marine must demand that the infrastructure/construction of these car ferries be altered. For example, longitudinal bulkheads, which I am told are standard in vessels other than car ferries, must be installed on car ferries. That would be costly but not as expensive as a loss of life. A case must be made for sufficient European Union funding for the relevant ferry companies to ensure that such infrastructural change can be effected. In the aftermath of the Estonia disaster we will have to seek and obtain clarification on the bow door closing arrangements and options. We were told by the Minister for the Marine last week that all the ferries operating in and out of Ireland use a system different from that on the Estonia. I should like confirmation from the Minister on that point because I am told that some ferries coming into and leaving our ports operate the same system as was used on the Estonia. We must ascertain which system is best and ensure that it is implemented, not on some, but on all such ferries.
We must also investigate the system of emergency evacuation from ferries in distress. For example, we must question the usage of life rafts in addition to life boats. I am informed that in recent times there has been greater usage of life rafts than life boats, which would appear to be a matter of economics rather than one of safety. If life rafts are held not to be as useful or safe as life boats, a change in that regard will have to be implemented. There must be an urgent review of all safety warnings and drills and any outdated rescue equipment replaced by a more modern type.
Equally important, much clearer guidelines must be issued on the feasibility of ferry travel in extreme weather conditions. Many Members will know of passengers who travelled in such weather conditions which they found to be very upsetting and difficult. Clear guidelines must be issued as to the types of weather conditions considered to be unsafe for travel and we must insist on the law being respected in that regard.
I should like those points clarified as a matter of urgency because many lives have been put and remain at risk.
