Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 June 2010
30 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the upcoming international conference in Manilla, the Philippines, on international maritime law; the names of the Ministers who will attend the conference; the proposals he intends to put forward at the conference; if any further legislation will be necessary in relation to the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24933/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from the Marine Survey Office of my Department will be attending the upcoming Diplomatic Conference to amend the Standards for Training Certification and Watchkeeping, STCW, Convention and the STCW Code of the International Maritime Organization. The Conference will essentially replace the Code on training and certification of seafarers. Proposals have been developed in co-operation with our European Colleagues and these will include: hours of work and rest, medical standards and the communication of information to the IMO and Member States. When the amendments have been adopted they will need to be transposed into the national law of the Member States of the IMO including Ireland.
31 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the implementation of EU Directive 95/21/EC on enhancing maritime safety including pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions on ships using Irish ports; if he has received any written correspondence from the European Commission on the implementation of this directive; the steps that are being taken to address the failure to implement the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24934/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), acting for the European Commission, carried out a full inspection of the activities of the Marine Survey Office (MSO) in my Department in relation to meeting the requirements of the Port State Control Directive 95/21/EC in September 2005 and also carried out a follow up inspection in September 2009. My Department is now in receipt of an advanced copy of a Reasoned Opinion from the European Commission, which relates to the findings of EMSA. The report of the 2009 EMSA visit reviewed the position since their initial inspection and whilst it recognised that some issues had been completed and that progress was being made on the other elements, concluded that further work remained to be done. My Department has been in contact with the Commission and will continue to liaise with them regarding measures being taken to meet these requirements.
