Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Marine Salvage Services.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

170 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if diving and marine salvage services are contracted by his Department; if such services are the subject of open tendering; the number of such contracts for which his Department has tendered in the past five years; the number and names of companies which have been awarded diving or salvage contracts by his Department in the past five years; the specific relevant qualifications and experience required to tender for such contracts; if evidence of professional indemnity insurance is a condition of such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9436/02]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

While circumstances could arise in which the use of marine salvage services by my Department might be necessary, no such services have been engaged in the last five years. Diving services required by the Irish Coast Guard for search and rescue, search and recovery or pollution prevention are provided in the normal course by the Naval Service or the Garda underwater unit.

Commercial diving services are used in connection with marine infrastructure projects, and contracts are awarded in accordance with normal public procurement procedures. Over the past five years, 12 contracts have been awarded to five companies for diving services viz: SAR Marine and General Limited, Construction Dive, Archaeological Diving Company Limited, Beatty Marine Plant Limited and Tuskar Rock Divers Limited. The qualifications and experience required to tender for such contracts are as specified by the Safety in Industry (Diving Operations) Regulations, 1981 (S.I. No. 422 of 1981) and other health and safety regulations. Contractors are required to produce evidence of employers liability and public liability insurance.