Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. He made a clear distinction between the plight of fishermen who are working on Irish-registered ships and those who are working on foreign-registered ships within Irish waters. While progress has been made on those on Irish-registered ships, and the Deputy has acknowledged that, we have not yet implemented the Work in Fishing Convention but it is the intention of the State to bring this into force through primary legislation - the merchant shipping (international conventions) Bill.

I acknowledge that workers who are on ships are uniquely vulnerable. They are often recruited from places such as the Philippines or from eastern Europe, from Ukraine, etc., and they are not in a position to stand up for their rights. They are literally marooned in a situation where they need support and representation and that is why a convention such as this is so important.

The Deputy is doing the right thing by raising this issue. I will remind the two Ministers involved, the lead Minister, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Minister for Transport, of the Deputy's desire and their obligation to bring this into law.

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