Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for welcoming the marine pilots to the House. Few people in Ireland are aware of the work done by this special group of highly-skilled people who are responsible for the safe navigation of some 97% of our imports and exports through ports, including the Cathaoirleach's Port of Cork, and major harbours. The Cathaoirleach and I spoke about that this morning and I was grateful for his support in that area. Having spoken to the chaps today, I realise that there are little harbours around the country, and virtually unknown harbours around the country, where pilots work all day every day to ensure the safe passage of ships into and out of Ireland.

This small group of professionals generally do not come to the attention of politicians or the Oireachtas in general but there is a serious need for us to look at marine piloting in Ireland with respect to the legislation and the regulation that is required. I now lay before the House my intention over the coming weeks and months, for as long as we are here, to raise issues with respect to the pilots and to seek that we put them on a footing equal to the best in Europe. We should be the best in Europe. We are an island nation but we are not. I hope that we can all work with these men over the coming months, while this Oireachtas lasts, and see to it that we put piloting on a footing that it should be on. As they are only a small group of fewer than 50 people sometimes they slip through the cracks or fall below the radar so I ask that we all take an interest in this in the coming months.