Vol. 559 No. 1
282 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of the 66 substandard ships on the EU Commission's indicative black list which were checked by Irish authorities over the past five years. [25648/02]
Two ships from the list of 66 produced by the EU Commission were inspected by marine surveyors from my Department in the past five years.
283 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department is meeting the EU Commission requirement of inspection of at least 25% of ships using Irish ports in 2002; and the way in which the rate of inspection to date in 2002 compares with 2001 and 2000. [25649/02]
So far this year the Department has undertaken some 380 inspections for port state control under EU Directive 95/21/EC. This represents an inspection rate of 28.57% for 2002 to date and exceeds the EU requirement of 25%. The corresponding figures for 2000 and 2001 are 14.6% and 21% respectively.
284 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the current and projected staffing levels of the Marine Survey Office; and his views on whether these are sufficient to meet Ireland's responsibilities under EU Commission safety rules. [25650/02]
The current staffing levels for the Marine Survey Office, which is an integral part of my Department's maritime safety directorate, are one deputy chief surveyor, 22 marine surveyors and five administrative staff. In addition, the chief surveyor post, one marine surveyor post and four administrative posts are vacant at this time and measures are in place to fill these as quickly as possible.
