David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join previous speakers in expressing deep regret at the drowning of Shane, Paul and Kenny Bolger from Passage East in a terrible tragedy off the coast of County Waterford. I extend my condolences to the men's mother, Margaret, two brothers, Michael and Anthony, and two sisters, Linda and Paula. The men belonged to a large family of seven which has been fishing for generations. The death of the three brothers has shocked their family and the wider community in County Waterford. We have had far too many tragedies off the south-east coast.

As the Leader will agree, many issues affect the fishing community but today is not an appropriate moment to raise them. For this reason, I ask him to arrange a debate on the fishing sector at some point in future to allow these issues to be discussed properly. I will, however, refer to one issue that I have raised on three previous occasions, including twice on the Adjournment, namely, the need to improve safety for fisherman. I refer specifically to the introduction of personal locator beacons on the persons of fishermen. I will read a response given by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, when I raised the matter with him last year. He stated:

A second priority will be to encourage the use of personal locator beacons for fishermen on all Irish-registered fishing vessels. These personal locator beacons are designed and operated in accordance with recognised international standards and will be required to be registered with the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg. It is intended that my Department will take measures with a view to making the provision of personal locator beacons and vessel beacons mandatory under appropriate legislation and my Department's code of practice for the safety of fishing vessels less than 15 m.

I ask the Leader to make inquiries with the Minister to ascertain what progress had been made on this issue since October last. Personal locator beacons, which can be worn as a wristwatch or integrated in a life jacket, send out a beacon and help the emergency services trace individuals. While the devices are already located on fishing vessels, the emergency services can find it difficult to locate persons. Obviously, the quicker they reach a person in the event of an accident at sea, the better will be the outcome. I ask the Leader to make inquiries as to the progress that has been made on this important issue. We must do everything possible to improve the safety of fishermen at sea.