Marine Safety.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005

Tuesday, 21 June 2005

Ceisteanna (324)

John Perry

Ceist:

345 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if ferry operators will be granted radio licences without sitting the necessary exams due to their level of experience, and if he will follow through on such plans; if it is still mandatory for all persons to sit the necessary exams prior to obtaining a radio licence; his plans to give out licences solely on the basis of experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20589/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Gallagher)

In accordance with the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, every vessel which carries radio-transmitting equipment must obtain a ship station radio licence from the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. One of the requirements of the licence is that the radio operator on board the vessel must have an appropriate radio operator's certificate of competency. ComReg also issues radio operators' certificates of competency to persons who have undertaken an approved course and passed an examination.

The maritime radio affairs unit of the marine surveyor's office of the Department provides technical advice and support to ComReg for both the radio licences and the radio operators' certificates of competency. There are at present no proposals to make changes to the licensing conditions in that regard.