Employment Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Ceisteanna (1109)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

1109. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Workplace Relations Commission at hearings held on the 29 May 2017 and 17 June 2017 concerning working conditions on the merchant marine fleet and fishing fleet, respectively that an adjudicator ruled that vessel owners were not required to provide medical cover for crew; and if legislation can be brought forward to make medical cover obligatory. [25429/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The adjudications referred to in the question have not been brought to my attention.

Currently the living and working conditions of seafarers and fishers are governed by both EU Directives and International Labour Organisation Conventions, namely the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 and the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007.

The Conventions cover a range of issues including requirements that a shipowner or fishing vessel owner has a duty to make provision for seafarers’ or fishers’ medical care and other expenses in certain circumstances.

The MLC, 2006 was implemented in 2014 by a package of Regulations and the Work in Fishing Convention is currently being progressed by my Department.