Simon Coveney
Ceist:95 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the new measures his Department is taking to reduce the number of marine accidents and to promote water safety. [17424/02]
Priority Questions. - Marine Accidents.
My Department has an ongoing safety programme involving an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness promotion with the aim of achieving the highest level of safety at sea and on inland waters.
In February of this year, my Department's maritime safety directorate was established. The objective was to create an efficient, effective and fully co-ordinated service ensuring that safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment receive top priority. The directorate also includes the realignment of safety functions for the marine leisure sector so that they are discharged as an integral element of maritime safety policy. Furthermore, the newly appointed director general also has overall responsibility for the Irish Coastguard service to ensure that the planning and delivery of all safety services is undertaken in a fully integrated manner.
The directorate has an ongoing legislative programme involving the transposition into Irish law of EU and international safety standards for international seagoing passenger and cargo vessels and the introduction of national safety standards for domestic vessels. Among the legislation the directorate is currently working on is a comprehensive regulatory framework for fishing vessels.
My Department has for a long time played a proactive role in raising awareness on safety issues. Each year a safety awareness programme is undertaken in conjunction with a number of State agencies and other bodies such as the RNLI. The marine safety working group, which comprises members of these agencies and bodies, meets regularly throughout the year to co-ordinate efforts in this regard. The maritime safety directorate will build on these activities over the next year to develop a comprehensive safety awareness programme.
I have asked the maritime safety directorate to review current safety measures for small water craft focusing on the requirements to wear lifejackets, licensing requirements, enforcement and increased public awareness of safety issues. It is my intention to publish a consultation paper in the near future.
I also announced recently my decision, in conjunction with the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to bring forward the date of commencement of the new passenger boat regulations from 6 June 2002 to 1 January 2003. All passenger boats will be required to have a licence to operate from that date. Any person found operating illegally after this date will be subject to the full rigours of the law. The overall result will be a safer regime where the public have a right to know that the boat they are on complies with safety standards. The directorate is organising a series of seminars this month to publicise the new regulations.
I assure the Deputy that safety is a key priority for me and the Minister and our Department and we will continue to develop and progress initiatives aimed at protecting life at sea and on inland waters.
I welcome the last part of the reply, in particular that safety will be a priority for this Administration. Will the Minister of State confirm that the average number of deaths per year in Ireland, approximately 84, over the last 30 years is twice as high as that in the UK or Germany per capita? Will he confirm a significant increase in the number of accidental drownings in 2001 compared to 2000?
I welcome the introduction of the Fishing Vessel (Personal Flotation Devices) Regulations, 2001, making it law that all fishermen on Irish registered vessels wear lifejackets on deck. Will the Minister of State indicate whether an inspection or prosecution has taken place as a result of these regulations? Who is responsible for enforcing them, are they doing so and do they have the resources to do so?
On the Merchant Shipping (Mechanically Propelled Pleasure Craft) (Safety) Regulations, 2001, with which I have some difficulty but which have, nevertheless, been put in place to prevent careless and dangerous operation of jet skis and power boats, how many prosecutions have taken place in enforcing them, who is responsible for enforcing them and do they have the necessary capacity to do so?
I welcome the Minister of State's decision to insist on angling boats complying with regulations laid out under the Licensing of Passenger Boats Regulations, 2001, having previously exempted them which, with the benefit of hindsight, was an error of judgment which may have contributed to a tragedy which occurred over the summer months with which the Minister of State will be very familiar.
On pleasure craft and the need to improve the standards of safety equipment, while not over- regulating this important leisure activity and industry, has the Minister of State considered using the model of the RNLI voluntary safety inspection system, referred to as the Sea Check system, and developing a structure where the Irish Coastguard could provide such a service to Irish private boat owners who request it?
I will get the number of prosecutions, if any have taken place. The Deputy knows the sea better than I do, but the voluntary method has not been that effective. Having witnessed at first hand the tragedy in Fethard – and I again extend sympathy to the families involved – it was important to bring forward the legislation to January. It may be said that this was a mistake, but it was decided to give boat operators time to reach the required standards.
It was a mistake by both sides of the House. We were all guilty.
As soon as the Fethard tragedy occurred we acted to bring forward the regulations, which the Deputy suggested at the time should be done. Through increasing awareness and the maritime safety directive, we are working to promote as much safety as possible. Any death at sea is one too many. On foot of the new legislation, we will hold seminars around the country in places such as Galway, Killarney, Rosslare, Dublin Castle and the Mount Errigal Hotel, which I and the Minister will attend. As the Opposition spokesperson, the Deputy will be more than welcome to attend also. Legislation is important but so too is education and awareness about safety at sea.
What about enforcement also?
That concludes Priority Questions and we will proceed to other questions.