Vol. 533 No. 1
33 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he is concerned with regard to the high level of fatalities and accidents on fishing vessels; if applications for grant aid for safety equipment or measures on fishing boats have been accepted by his Department during the last year; and if he will now put in place such a safety scheme as a matter of urgency. [8083/01]
I share the Deputy's concern about the high level of fatalities and accidents on fishing vessels. I am very conscious that our fishermen go about their daily work in an often hostile and dangerous environment. The safety of fishermen is a matter to be addressed primarily by skippers, owners and crews. That being said, the State has done and will continue to persuade, support and coerce all persons involved in fishing to acquire equipment and adopt practices aimed at improving safety.
My Department's priority has been to implement the recommendations and objectives of the fishing vessel safety review group. Considerable progress has been made in the areas of radio regulations, safety regulations for vessels over 24 metres, safety training, onshore marine radio communications, fleet modernisation, the establishment of a network of offshore weather and research buoys and safety awareness. Work is well advanced on draft safety regulations for smaller sizes of fishing boats. Following on from my announcement on 28 January that it was my intention to put in place new legislation which will see the introduction of mandatory safety training and mandatory wearing of suitable personal flotation devices for fishermen in Ireland, my Department will shortly commence a consultation process with the fishing industry.
I am concerned about the number of fatalities. I gather that there were about 30 fatalities at sea last year alone, almost all off the west and south west coast. I am concerned that, apart from the regulations, the system of grant aid which was available has dried up and that there is anticipation of a further scheme of grant aid. I have anecdotal evidence that certain safety measures are being delayed pending a new scheme. Will there be a new scheme of grant aid and, if so, when will it be introduced? Will the Minister introduce it straightaway in order that essential safety measures will not be further delayed?
There will be a new scheme which will be announced as part of the renewal programme about which I have just spoken in coming weeks.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
