Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of vessels licensed to carry passengers to the Great Blasket Island from Dingle and from Dún Chaoin; the names and specifications of each vessel; the arrangement that exists for ferrying passengers to the island on weekdays and weekends; the numbers carried by each passenger vessel from August 2004 to August 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32399/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of vessels licensed to carry passengers to the Great Blasket Island from Dingle and from Dún Chaoin is as shown in the following table. There are a total of 25 vessels, both passenger ships and passenger boats. My Department has no involvement with the arrangements and schedules that exist for ferrying passengers to and from the island, nor does it have details of the actual numbers carried by each vessel.

All of the vessels listed in table A are class VI passenger ships and are only permitted to operate during daylight, in summer, in fine weather and within defined distances and-or specific geographic limits. Certificates for all class VI passenger ships are issued annually in accordance with the relevant Merchant Shipping Acts and cover the period from 1 April until 31 October each year. The maximum number of passengers that each vessel is permitted to carry is also shown in table A and is specified on its passenger certificate.

All of the vessels listed in table B hold a valid passenger boat licence in accordance with the relevant Merchant Shipping Acts. The maximum number of passengers that any passenger boat may carry is twelve or such lesser number as is specified in the licence. The particular number for each individual boat is determined following a survey by my Department. Generally passenger boats are issued with a two-year licence and are not subject to seasonal restrictions like class VI ships but operate within defined distances and or specific geographic limits.