Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

While I do not want to go into too much detail concerning the incident in question, the MCIB report recommended that all boat rental companies should report every incident to the relevant authorities and that the Department should issue a marine notice to that effect. Other recommendations related to Emerald Star specifically and called for it to review its procedures in such circumstances. Pursuant to a recommendation for Waterways Ireland and the Coast Guard to establish a buoyage system, a meeting has been arranged. All of the report's recommendations, including that in respect of VHF radio equipment, are the subject of ongoing discussions with the relevant authorities. The Coast Guard and maritime administration intend to arrange a meeting with Waterways Ireland to discuss the recommendations. Waterways Ireland has indicated that it is open to reviewing the buoyage system on the Shannon.

Issuing the marine notice is under consideration by the Coast Guard and maritime administration, which was involved in promoting a safety awareness campaign as part of the ongoing safety programme prior to the recommendations. Among other elements, this involves a series of radio and on-line safety awareness advertisements and publicity campaigns. In recent years, a number of measures focusing on life jackets, enforcing licensing requirements, increased safety awareness and so on have been introduced. On 24 May 2006, a code of practice for the safe operation of recreational craft was launched. There has been an amount of activity as regards this sector and, while all of the recommendations have not yet been implemented, they will be considered and discussed.

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