Michael Finucane
Ceist:37 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, to date in implementing the recommendations of the fishing vessel safety review group. [12317/98]
Written Answers. - Marine Safety.
I can report continued progress with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the Fishing Vessel Safety Review Group, to which the Government is committed. The report of the review group indicated that in the absence of incentives for the renewal of the fleet there would be little improvement in the age structure and safety status of the fleet. I am committed to bringing about an improvement in this regard. I am, at present, finalising a programme to support renewal of the whitefish fleet in order to maximise income and employment in coastal regions. The programme is subject to EU Commission approval and negotiations with the Commission are well advanced. The programme involves a grant aid support scheme and tax incentives for the whitefish fleet. The tax incentives are provided for in the 1998 Finance Act. The grant aid element of the programme will be met from within the current allocations of Structural Funds for the fishing fleet. The programme is designed to promote investment in the whitefish fleet with the introduction of a number of new and modern second-hand vessels into the fleet. In addition, a targeted modernisation scheme and support for essential safety equipment for vessels will modernise the vessels in the fleet and contribute to improved safety.
Concern was expressed by the review group at the number of unregistered fishing vessels operating in Irish waters, many of which are small and in poor condition. The group considered that these vessels constitute a serious threat to safety and recommended that this situation be addressed. Applications for registration of fishing vessels under a special scheme approved by the European Commission, under which the position of previously unregistered vessels in the fishing fleet will be regularised and an additional 5,473 gross tonnes will be added to the Irish fishing vessel register, are being processed at present. The criteria under this scheme for registration require, among other matters, that vessels undergo a condition survey report in order to ensure that the vessel is safe and seaworthy. This represents a significant improvement in our safety regulatory framework and in our safety standards for small fishing vessels in particular.
Safety training, which is vital to protect the lives of fishing vessel crews in the event of an accident at sea, continues to be provided in an accessible manner through BIM's two mobile training units in response to demand at various locations around the coast. In addition, a new fisheries training centre is under construction at Castletownbere which will deliver safety skills instruction to fishermen in the south coast region. The new centre is scheduled for completion later this year. The principal objective of BIM's coastal training programme is to generate a health and safety culture within the small scale fishing sector in particular.
Funding under the EU's small scale coastal fisheries programme has been secured towards a new training initiative, which has just commenced, aimed at the spouses and families of small scale coastal fishermen. It is hoped that the relatives of fishermen can exert a positive influence in the promotion of good safety practices on board small fishing vessels. This pilot initiative, which will be run by BIM in co-operation with Údarás na Gaeltachta, Cornharcumann Inis Meain Teo and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, will target 12 venues over the course of 18 months.
There have also been significant developments in the area of on-shore marine radio communications. Radio coverage and emergency response to fishing vessels off the north west coast and in the Irish Sea have been enhanced through the installation of new medium frequency transmitters at Belmullet and Rosslare. Furthermore, the Department is currently evaluating tenders received for VHF digital selective calling equipment which it is proposed to install at Irish marine emergency service coast radio stations. This modern equipment will significantly upgrade our radio communications network.
The Department is continuing to put in place the necessary administrative and technical resources to facilitate the introduction of comprehensive safety regulations for fishing vessels and their crews, as recommended by the review group. Three additional marine surveyors have been appointed and the recruitment of an additional marine radio surveyor is in train. These surveyors will provide the vital technical input required in the drafting of the safety regulations and they will also be involved in their subsequent enforcement through the carrying out of regular surveys.
The review group saw a need for a substantial improvement in safety awareness among Irish fishermen. In response to this need my Department's Marine Safety Working Group has produced safety booklets aimed at increasing safety consciousness in the fishing sector. Publication of a booklet dealing with fishing vessel machinery failure was followed up, earlier this year, by a brochure on man overboard procedures for fishing vessels. This brochure details safety precautions designed to prevent man overboard incidents, which are one of the main reasons for the loss of fishermen's lives. In addition, it is proposed to publish guidelines on emergency procedures for fishing vessels in the near future. This series of booklets represents a practical and user-friendly means of disseminating the safety message, thereby helping to develop a safety culture among fishermen.