Written Answers. - Marine Safety.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
46
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the issues under consideration to improve marine safety and, in particular, matters relating to water sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12472/98]
As Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, I hold responsibility for safety on the water in so far as vessels, passengers and crew are concerned. While my interest in water sports relates primarily to the safe operation of these sports where vessels or boats are used, I am nonetheless concerned about the safety of all who use the water for leisure purposes.
For some time now, it has been my Department's policy that self-regulation by individuals engaged in water sports and their representative organisations, augmented by the Departments safety awareness campaign, is the most practical and effective approach to the safety of such activities.
This safety awareness campaign is co-ordinated by the Marine Safety Working Group which was set up by my Department and involves the RNLI, the Irish Sailing Association, the relevant Government Departments, the National Safety Council and the Health and Safety Authority. The aim of this working group is to use its collective expertise and experience to create and communicate marine safety information and messages to endeavour to reduce accidents and to prevent the loss of life in Irish waters. The safety working group meets regularly and has produced a number of Safety on the Water booklets, leaflets and posters for widespread dissemination. These booklets include titles such as Safe Canoeing and Safe Windsurfing. A pamphlet on life jackets and buoyancy aids is expected to be published shortly and work is currently in hand regarding a proposed draft leaflet on canoeing, surfskiing and board safety as well as a proposed draft booklet on weather forecasting services.
Following the tragic canoeing accident off Dunmore East in February 1995 which resulted in the death of two young men who were members of canoeing party from the local adventure centre, my Department, while recognising that self-regulation remains an important option, came to the conclusion that some form of regulation of adventure centres would be desirable to provide for an improvement in the safety of people availing of the activities at these centres.
In this regard, I have recently taken up with my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation — who is responsible for sport in general — the possible introduction of a system of mandatory regulation of the safety of adventure centres. While I accept that water sports constitute only some of a wide spectrum of activity sports conducted at such centres, I am nevertheless concerned that there should be a co-ordinated approach towards ensuring greater safety in all adventure sports with particular reference to the monitoring and control of adventure centres which provide facilities for young people.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is currently carrying out a review of the Merchant Shipping (Jet Skis and Fast Power Boats) Regulations, 1992 and all legislative options available are being considered in order to identify the most effective means of controlling such craft in the interests of other water users. As a more long-term measure, I have recently decided to establish a group to examine the question of regulation of the marine leisure area, including jet skis and fast power boats.
Finally, while I believe that it is essential that a strong sense of personal responsibility for one's own safety is developed among water sports enthusiasts and marine leisure users in general, I can assure the Deputy that both I and my Department will continue to promote marine safety awareness among the public and will be supportive of all measures designed to improve practices and procedures which ensure the safety of all water users, not just those engaged in water sports. I can also assure the Deputy that the resources of my Department will be fully available, within their remit, to work with other relevant agencies to ensure that there is no repetition of the tragic events in Sligo earlier in the month.
