Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water Sports Vehicles.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

184 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to control and review the use of small powered recreational craft including jet skies on lakes and inland waterways; the steps he intends taking to ensure the maximum safety of water users and to prevent nuisance and distress caused to other water users by such craft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17712/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods):

The Deputy will be aware from my reply to parliamentary Question No. 44 of 2 June 1999 and from my replies to parliamentary Questions Nos. 20 and 42 of 23 June 1999 of the action which has been taken to date by my Department's Marine Safety Working Group, the Marine Institute and a number of local authorities to address the widespread concerns being expressed by many people about the safe use of small powered recreational craft, including jet skis, for personal purposes.

However, because of the growing public concern over the use of jet skis and fast power craft and, especially in the light of a number of very serious accidents involving personal recreational craft in recent months, I have now taken the initiative to pull these various strands of action together by establishing an action group to look at the whole area in a comprehensive and cohesive review of the safe use of personal recreational water craft, including jet skis.

The action group, which held its first meeting on 16 September last, is being chaired by Mr. Clayton Love, Jnr., an accomplished mariner, who has given over 30 years distinguished service to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Ireland having only recently retired from the position of Deputy Chairman of the RNLI overall and from the chairmanship of the Irish member's committee of that very fine organisation. The group includes representatives of the RNLI, the Irish Sailing Association, the Irish Marine Federation, the National Safety Council and the Garda Síochána, as well as a number of relevant Government Departments and State agencies. I am arranging to send a copy of the group's terms of reference and a list of its membership to the Deputy.

I have asked the action group to consider measures which will be effective, sensible and enforceable and will be instrumental in introducing a shift in the culture towards safety as the overriding consideration. The group, in its deliberations, will have particular regard to the Marine Institute's work on safety policy in the marine leisure sector, the good work on zoning undertaken by a number of coastal local authorities and best practice and ideas in place and being developed internationally to ensure that all water users can enjoy their sports and activities in safety. In this regard, I understand that a seminar has been arranged by the Marine Institute to take place in Athlone on 18 October next which will provide the opportunity for interested bodies and organisations to have an input towards the consultation process associated with the institute's study.

The setting up of this action group is an expression of the importance which we attach to tackling this issue. My central aim is to put in place policies and practical measures to protect the safety of all water users in the context of a comprehensive safety regime for recreational craft generally. My basic aim in relation to fast water craft and jet skis is to stop irresponsible behaviour by a small number of users, to protect the safety of other water users and to end the severe nuisance and distress being caused in certain locations and in traditional bathing, boating and angling areas.

In view of the importance I attach to this subject, I have asked the chairman that the action group submit an interim report to me by mid-November 1999 and a final report by no later than the end of February next year. I assure the Deputy that I will act quickly on the recommendations of the action group and bring forward any legislation which may be required as a matter of urgency.