John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will review the new safety regulations which stipulate that vessels under six metres have to carry an enormous amount of safety equipment. [2514/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has an ongoing safety programme involving an appropriate combination of statutory regulation, enforcement and safety awareness promotion with the aim of achieving the highest level of safety at sea, including on fishing vessels.

The Sea Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 provides that the licensing authority shall not grant a sea-fishing boat licence unless an independent survey of the boat conducted by a competent person, approved by the licensing authority has confirmed to the satisfaction of the authority that the boat is in a safe and seaworthy condition.

In the case of fishing vessels less than 15 metres in length the Department introduced a new code of practice for such vessels last year. This code sets minimum standards of safety for the vessel to protect all persons on board. It covers vessel design, construction, machinery, safety equipment and stability issues.

The code provides for a declaration of compliance that the fishing vessel complies with the code, to be completed by the authorised person who conducts the survey. The licensing authority grants a sea-fishing boat licence on the basis of this declaration.

In developing the code the maritime safety directorate of the Department recognised that different safety standards are appropriate to different sizes of vessel, and for that reason the code contains less onerous equipment requirements for open and decked fishing vessels under six metres. The safety equipment requirements contained in the code for such small vessels are those which were already mandatory under existing safety legislation.

I consider that this level of safety equipment is the minimum necessary for such vessels. My main concern is to enhance safety at sea and compliance with the code is the best way to ensure the safety of fishing vessels and their crews.