Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Yesterday on Leaders' Questions I spelled out the policy on seafarers. This country, being an island, has always tried to have as many qualified and trained seafarers as possible and to maintain employment for them. I believe the National Maritime College, which, unfortunately, I have not visited, is considered internationally to be of the highest quality. Some €50 million of taxpayers' money has been invested in it. Those involved with the college are very proud of what it has achieved. Our concept was to have a policy whereby we would have a country of trained seafarers with expertise. This is happening with much success.

The seafaring issue and the question of operating under the flag of convenience do not just pertain to EU law, they are global matters. I am not against the European Union having some kind of examination of these but, on the basis of my understanding and the statements of the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, and the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, there are difficulties in this regard because of the global nature of the issues and the fact that people are going outside their zones. The question of how this can be managed or policed, either from an Irish or European position, presents an extraordinary difficulty. That is what the companies have been saying also. All the companies are now employing international staff and moving around the world with them.

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