Vol. 489 No. 3
76 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the measures, if any, he proposes to enhance operational safety in marine matters in future years; if so, the likely benefits of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8023/98]
As the Minister responsible for safety at sea, I am conscious of the need for continued updating of our maritime law. In this regard, I have developed a comprehensive programme of work over the next three years which will bring Ireland to the forefront vis-a-vis best international practice.
A priority remains to implement the recommendations of the fishing vessel safety review group to minimise the risk of loss of life among the fishing community. This includes the implementation into Irish law of EU Council Directive
97/70/EC which set up a harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over.
I also intend over this period to implement all relevant international maritime organisation safety conventions including amendments to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and STCW (Standards of Training Certification of Watch-keeping for Seafarers) Conventions and to give continued support to the IMO in the way of professional contributions to international negotiations. In this regard, the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which puts in place a mandatory safety management system on board vessels will come into operation for certain vessels from July of this year. All relevant Irish vessels have been certified and my Department's Marine Surveyors, as Port State Control Officers, have a major role to play on the international front to ensure that foreign vessels, including ferries, visiting Irish ports comply with this code, in an attempt to eliminate sub-standard shipping worldwide.
I am committed also to implementing all EU Directives on safety matters as they arise, to amending merchant shipping legislation as necessary, to initiating a new marine casualty investigation system, to developing and resourcing the Irish Marine Emergency Service as a coastguard and to ensuring co-operation with other marine safety agencies in extending/developing their safety infrastructures.
