Following the Erika incident measures have been introduced or agreed as regards the compensation available to victims of pollution by oil tankers – as I stated, legislation to give effect to these measures was passed recently by the Oireachtas; the regulation of ship classification societies; the accelerated phasing-out of single hull oil tankers; the strengthening of port State control measures and ship reporting arrangements. In addition, the European Maritime Safety Agency was established by regulation in August 2002 for the purpose of ensuring a high, uniform and effective level of maritime safety and prevention of ships within the European Union. The agency is to enable the Commission to offer the full range of professional services needed to discharge its duties in this connection. All member states are represented on the board of the agency.