Vol. 468 No. 4
979 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if the examination of his Department in respect of adventure centres has been completed; if not, when it will be completed; if so, if he will publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15502/96]
980 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that lifejackets have to be worn for sea or open water canoeing, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15503/96]
981 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that the leader of a group of canoeists must inform the relevant local authority, such as the harbour office, pilot station and coast radio station, giving them the time of departure, area of operation, expected time of arrival, number in group and type and numbers of equipment in use, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15504/96]
982 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that a checklist of all the necessary requirements for canoeing, including weather forecasts and updates as appropriate, are complied with, prior to departure, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15505/96]
983 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that all equipment and the area of operations for canoe training is clearly defined and the persons in charge of training are fully aware of such areas, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15506/96]
984 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that the leader of a group of canoeists should carry a handheld marine VHF radio and be capable of operating it, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15507/96]
985 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that all canoeists should be issued with a hand flare and the leader of a group of canoeists should have at least one parachute flare, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15508/96]
986 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that all canoeists should be equipped with a whistle capable of being used in the water, which should be attached to the wrist, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15509/96]
987 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Marine if regulations are now in place to ensure that all equipment, including canoes, helmets, buoyancy aids, paddles, cagoules, both wet and dry suits, are now made more visible by attaching retro reflective tape, further to his reply to a series of parliamentary questions tabled by Deputy Kenneally on 25 October 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15510/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986 and 987 together.
As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply of 25 October last to a series of questions raised by him, a large number of specific safety recommendations arose from the review of the circumstances of the tragic canoeing accident at Dunmore East in which two lives were lost.
I also explained on that occasion the steps which were being taken to implement those recommendations. I noted, however, that implementation would be on a voluntary basis in close co-operation with all concerned. This was and remains in keeping with current policy, which considers that the most effective approach to water leisure activity to be through self-regulation by the various governing bodies.
I would like to avail of this opportunity to advise the Deputy of a number of initiatives that have been taken in relation to safety in the marine leisure industry. I have taken up with my colleague in the Department of Education, which is responsible for sport in general, the question of the regulation of all adventure sports with particular reference to the monitoring and control of adventure centres which provide facilities for young people. Canoeing is only one of a wide spectrum of activity sports which encompasses such diverse activities as horse-riding, archery, rock-climbing and scuba-diving and I am sure the Deputy will agree that there needs to be a co-ordinated approach towards ensuring greater safety in all these areas.
