David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and the Bill which is a welcome step in how we manage merchant shipping on the island. I am sure the Minister will agree that it is long overdue, but it is welcome that it has been published. The idea of a register has been cautiously welcomed by those involved in the shipping industry, in particular the Irish Marine Federation. We certainly support it, with the intent of the Bill.

Registering a craft in Ireland allows it to confirm its nationality and fly the Irish flag. The Bill modernises the registration scheme for fishing boats less than 15 m in length, personal water craft, small fast powered craft and small angling boats. This is increasingly important as these kinds of craft, in particular jet skis, have become a feature in Ireland in recent years. With the good weather we are having which I hope will continue into the summer months, it is more prevalent. It is no longer uncommon to see these kinds of craft in use in our bays. These are powerful craft which must be operated with the utmost regard for public safety. We have all heard of tragedies involving jet skis and should, as much as possible, ensure they are only used by responsible people who know what they are doing. Many countries are ahead of us in this regard because they recognise there must be a registration process and proper checks and balances to ensure those who have such craft use them in a responsible way. A Marine Casualty Investigation Board inquiry into the death of Alan Joyce at Lough Beltra, County Mayo concluded that such craft should be licensed and that those using jet skis should have to complete a mandatory training course, which I would support. The inquiry found that those using the jet skis did not receive training, were known to be poor swimmers and not wearing life jackets.

This House has had several debates on the need for proper safety measures at sea for fishermen. The Minister might recall that on two occasions I tabled Adjournment motions on the need for personal beacons for fishermen which could be integrated into their life jackets or worn as a wrist band. There are different ways by which it could be done. We should do anything we can to improve safety at sea, including for fishermen and those who use pleasure craft. We need to ensure people wear life jackets. There should be standard mandatory requirements for those who use these craft for pleasure purposes to minimise whatever threat or health or safety concerns arise. In the same way as the regulation of road safety brought about a complete shift in attitudes to safety among the public, we should use regulations to improve safety standards in maritime life. One cannot operate a motorbike without a helmet, a licence and insurance; it goes without saying, therefore, that the same should apply to these craft.

It goes without saying that the same should not apply to these craft. It should not be any different for jet skis. Certain criteria must be fulfilled before anyone can legally operate them.

One issue we have with the Bill is the potential for outsourcing of the registration process, which is included. This process should be carried out by a State agency and not a profit-making private body. We had a discussion some months ago about privatising bus routes. There seems to be an obsession in this Government, particularly in the Fine Gael Party, with removing State responsibility from as many things as possible. It is in the interests of the public at large that a proper ship registration process is in place. It should not be a moneymaking exercise.

There is not a great deal more that can be said about this straightforward and important Bill, which I will support. At some point in this term of office, I hope the Minister will come back with improved regulation for fishing vessels, taking on board some of the points I made earlier about personal beacons. The Minister did some work on the use of beacons on boats and improvement in that area, which is hugely important. Senator Maurice Cummins comes from the same part of the country as me and we have seen far too many tragedies off the south-east coast. Some of them could have been avoided if we had better safety equipment standards on boats and on those who use boats. I will support anything that will improve health and safety at sea.