I am disappointed that the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources is not in the House to hear this debate. I am glad, however, that a Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children is here because this is a health and safety issue.
I raise this matter as a Deputy from a coastal location in a year when at least 27 people have died in marine accidents. I extend my sympathy to the many families, including county people of my own, who have endured loss and express my relief that 13 Spanish people were rescued at sea today.
There is little doubt but that fishermen have a tough life living among the elements. That is reflected in the fact that it is becoming more difficult to attract new people into the industry. At a time when the potential mix of fishermen is widening and we do not necessarily have people from a fishing background, it is essential to call on the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources to look again at all aspects of marine health and safety.
We have the report of the marine safety group since 1996. It is time all the recommendations in that report were fully implemented. That is not to avoid giving credit for what has been achieved in the very significant support for the renewal of the fleet that was forthcoming under this administration and totally ignored by the previous one. We have excellent fishery training schools and I extol the great work being carried out in Greencastle. There are tremendous advances in the development of the entire marine emergency services, formerly Cliff Sea Rescue. We have well-trained and vigilant personnel manning our radio stations, for example, at Malin Head. There is huge investment in the upgrading of boats and the purchase of new ones. Yet, we have the death toll we saw this year.
Having spoken at length to people in the industry I reiterate that the recommendations in the safety review report must be fully implemented. We need, at the least, safety courses for all those going to sea – basic requirements that would give them the best chance should they run into difficulty while at sea. Recommendations 18 to 34 cannot be long-fingered any more. Similarly the issue of regular publicity drives to educate, advise and help develop a stronger safety culture among those working in the industry are vital. While accepting the development of devices such as EPIRBS, I draw attention to the possibility that there are other devices that could complement the work of EPIRBS. I have discussed many times with the Minister and his predecessor, Deputy Woods, the locator buoy devised by John Kelly in Moville, County Donegal. It is a very simple device for locating boats lost at sea. I have heard support voiced for this invention from Greencastle to Castletownbere and yet I await news that the Department has tried out this device.
Will the Minister bring my requests to the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources and ask him to take a serious look at devices such as those of Mr. Kelly. This device, in the view of practising fishermen, has much to commend it. At a time when we should do all we can to save lives and learn from the inadequacies of past examples, surely money should be set aside for trials of existing prototypes and the development of others. Surely the Minister should direct the coastguard and or BIM to test out an invention that, at the very least, would provide an opportunity for people to find their lost loved ones and have a grave to go to. That might sound callous but the number of people who do not have a grave to visit is horrendous. I know many of them.
Let us set the standards for marine safety for the rest of Europe. Perhaps we should look to re-man the lighthouses which would not only reinstate an extra presence around our coasts for fishermen but would serve other important policing functions. We are an island nation. We should have the potential to earn a good living from the sea and be safe while engaging in that. It is time marine matters got the place it deserves but has lost over the years.
I know everyone concurs with these sentiments and I look forward to the Minister's reply and the full and immediate implementation of the safety review's 63 recommendations. I look forward to the considered response to the safety device that has, according to fishing experts, the potential to complement the EPIRBS and speed up the process of locating of boats in serious difficulty.
Coming up to Christmas, I wish to extend my sympathy to all those who have lost loved ones at sea, to commend those who risk their lives in sea rescue and trust that for all who rely on the sea for their livelihood this Government will continue to do what it can to make it as safe a place of employment as possible and enable those spouses and families who remain onshore to have greater peace of mind. I rely on the Minister of State to bring my concerns to the attention of the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.