Fishing Vessel Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2014

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Ceisteanna (81)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

81. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will raise the issue of the M/V Mary Kate with his EU counterparts, in both Germany and Holland and with the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, in view of the fact that the owner of the fishing boat, purchased the vessel in Holland, which was certified as being seaworthy by German maritime experts, which subsequently failed stability tests here and is currently in dry dock here and unable to put to sea and for which the owner, who has lost €1.2 million, is under increasing pressure from financial institutions to settle his debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35970/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am aware of the very unfortunate situation of the person in question and I am very sympathetic to his plight. However, the safety of fishing vessels, including matters relating to stability, is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. My Department has no function in safety matters, other than that the Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Authority must ensure that a fishing vessel has a Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate prior to licensing. The Authority is not empowered by law to vary or waive the legal safety requirements set down by the Maritime Safety Directorate of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.