Vol. 514 No. 3
87 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, further to Parlia mentary Question No. 125 of 1 February 2000, a report was carried out under the auspices of the Marine Survey Office in 1997 or 1998 with regard to the possible provision of a naval sea time recognition; if so, the outcome of the report; the action, if any, he will take in relation to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4093/00]
As I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 1 February 2000, discussions have been taking place for some time now between my Department and the Department of Defence together with the Naval Service, with a view to identifying and developing a mechanism whereby engineering officers of the Naval Service may obtain appropriate certification for merchant shipping purposes provided they gain a certain amount of merchant vessel experience in addition to their Naval Service experience.
As a result of these discussions, the Marine Survey Office of my Department has been carrying out an assessment of proposed procedures whereby Naval Service officers sea service can be recognised in part towards that required for merchant vessel certification. I have asked the Marine Survey Office to expedite its consideration of this matter so that these proposals can be finalised and agreement reached at interdepartmental level on the detailed implementation arrangements.
