Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and wish him every success in his job. As a member of the Oireachtas transport committee, I welcome the publication of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013, which is one of the legislative priorities of the Minister, as I know he is keen to update and enhance the national maritime legislative code and ensure the safety of maritime transport services. I share this view as a Deputy representing Dublin Bay North, which includes Howth harbour and borders on Dublin Port where many of my constituents are employed.

The importance of ship registration is that it confers Irish nationality on ships, allowing them to fly the Irish flag and register ownership. The new Bill will provide a basis for the introduction of an updated and modernised registration system in Ireland and is the result of a detailed review of the existing registration regime, which dates from 1955, and involved an extensive public consultation process and meetings with interested parties involved in maritime activities. It has been prepared against a background of international growth in maritime trade, an increase in the use of pleasure craft and an increasing emphasis on safety, security and environmental issues both at EU and international level.

New categories of vessels for which the Bill proposes registration are fishing boats less than 15 m in length overall, jet skis, small fast powered craft and small angling boats. This registration will be mandatory, which I welcome. In general, subject to some exemptions, all ships operating domestically will be required to be on the register or to have a current valid registration conferring nationality from another country. Other than the small vessels to which I have referred, registration of all leisure craft less than 24 m is not proposed.

A system of visitor registration is proposed for recreational craft 24 m in load line length and greater, personal watercraft such as jet skis and small fast powered craft, where such craft are not registered in another country and wish to operate in Irish waters for short periods not exceeding three months. This will be a simplified form of registration for a nominal fee so as not to impact negatively on tourism. In respect of jet skis, the proposed extension of a registration requirement to jet skis is being proposed in order to take account of the increase in the numbers of such craft in recent years. This is a response to the risks that can be involved in the operation of such craft and, in particular, it responds to a recommendation made by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board following a number of marine casualty incidents involving jet skis in recent years.

As my Dublin Bay North constituency includes beaches stretching from Dollymount to Portmarnock, I particularly welcome the registration of jet skis. During fine weather such as we had this summer the users of jet skis and personal watercraft must have regard for swimmers and be extra vigilant as jet skis can cause serious head injuries to swimmers on crowded beaches. Warm, sunny weather can sadly lead to drownings and increased demand on the Coast Guard and lifeboat rescue services. I would again call on swimmers and those engaging in water sports activities to exercise caution.

The new registration system will replace the existing arrangements that have been in place since 1955 and allow us to introduce a new, centralised, electronic Irish register of ships. Current arrangements for the registration of ships will continue until such time as the new register is in place and the relevant provisions of the Bill and subsequent regulations are signed into law. It is important to point out that under the Bill Irish ships that are registered under the current regime will be transferred free of charge to the new register for an initial period of up to five years and, subject to compliance with the requirements of the Bill, will then become eligible for consideration for renewal of their registration.

Improvements to enforcement provisions include increases in penalty levels and a power of detention given to surveyors for ship registration related offences, as well as the introduction of a system of fixed payments for certain offences involving personal watercraft, small fast powered craft and smaller angling ships. A range of State personnel will act as authorised persons for the purposes of enforcement.

In regard to this Bill, the concerns of the trade union SIPTU centre on the compliance by the shipping companies to the various agreements and their contracts of employment.

It would also be supportive of the International Transport Federation, ITF, inspectors having access to ships and crews and being able to enforce sanctions. Another interesting point expressed by SIPTU is that this Bill would assist Ireland in signing up to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. The Rail Maritime and Transport Union, RMTU, which has members in the UK and Ireland, has raised the issue of well known household ferries and holiday cruise companies operating in both jurisdictions who pay their staff rates of pay which are below the national minimum wage, which is a disgrace.

SIPTU, the RMTU and ITF are well aware of the use of flags of convenience by certain ship owners and hope that Ireland will be proactive in ensuring that seafarers' health and safety and terms and conditions are protected. I commend the Bill.

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