Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foreign Registered Vessels.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

153 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has plans to address problems presented by flag of convenience vessels where workers providing a vital service for the economy may not be receiving internationally accepted levels of wages and conditions; if his attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by the trade union movement regarding the treatment of seafarers on the Cork-Swansea ferry in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I have no statutory function in relation to seafarers' wages. The ship operated on the route referred to by the Deputy is not registered on the Irish ship register. Obligations on the ship's owners regarding maintenance, crewing standards and certification of those matters are appropriate to the flag state operating the ship's register.

Foreign registered vessels using Irish ports are inspected regularly by the marine survey office of my Department in the exercise of Ireland's port state control obligations. These inspections are aimed at ensuring that such vessels are maintained and operated in compliance with international safety standards laid down by the International Maritime Organisation – IMO – and, in relation to seafarers' social conditions, by the International Labour Organisation's – ILO – maritime conventions, together with relevant EU initiatives in the maritime area. The inspections carried out under these conventions may include checking to see if a contract of employment exists, as required by the ILO. The ILO require ments do not extend to the inspection of wage levels on vessels. Deficiencies identified in inspections are brought to the attention of the ship owner and flag state administration and, if circumstances so warrant, may have to be rectified before the ship continues its journey.