Vol. 526 No. 1
163 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the supports in place to have water safety signs provided around the coast at necessary points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25920/00]
My Department is responsible for creating and communicating marine safety information and messages to endeavour to create an improved safety awareness culture and so to reduce accidents and to prevent the loss of life in Irish waters.
The marine safety working group of my Department is comprised of representatives of the following Government Departments: Marine and Natural Resources, Environment and Local Government, and Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The core rescue and safety organisations within the group are the Irish Coast Guard, Marine Surveyors Office (MSO), the Irish Water Safety Association, Health and Safety Authority, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Irish Sailing Association. Representatives from marine industries and marine recreational organisations are invited to join the group when booklets or pamphlets about their particular occupation or sport are being considered.
The provision and siting of water safety signs around the coast is primarily a matter for the relevant local authorities. However, my Department is responsible for the provision and erecting of water safety signs in the fishery harbour centres.
In 1998, my Department was involved with Donegal County Council, Inishowen Rural Development Limited, the National Safety Council, and RNLI in a successful initiative which provided and erected 37 water safety signs at strategic locations around the Inishowen Peninsula. This pilot project was considered to be very successful and my Department would be glad to support any more such initiatives in any other part of the country.
