Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 93: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views regarding the treatment of workers on board the Irish Ferries ship the [i]Normandy[/i], notwithstanding the fact that the Government's ability to intervene is constrained by the fact that this ship flies under a flag of convenience; and if his Department has raised concerns regarding the treatment of workers on this ship with the management at Irish Ferries or in any discussions with IBEC. [31446/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have responsibility for the Irish Ship Register, that is, for Irish registered ships. Applicable national and international law governs the operation of other ship registers. The Irish Ferries Limited ship, the MV Normandy, has been off the Irish Ship Register since 12 January 2005. Obligations on the ship's owners regarding maintenance, crewing standards and certification of those matters are appropriate to the flag state responsible for the ship, the Bahamas.

Officers of the Department's marine survey office periodically inspect the ship in the exercise of Ireland's port state control obligations. These inspections are aimed at ensuring that the vessel is maintained and operated in compliance with international safety standards laid down by the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, and, with regard to seafarers' social conditions, by the International Labour Organisation's, ILO, maritime conventions, together with relevant EU initiatives in the maritime area. Deficiencies identified are brought to the attention of the owner and flag state administration and may have to be rectified before the ship continues its journey. The MV Normandy was last inspected in July 2005.

I have spoken to the management of Irish Ferries Limited regarding the operation of its ferries on the Irish Sea but not regarding the crewing arrangements on the Ireland to France route, since the MV Normandy was taken off the Irish Ship Register and placed on the Bahamas Ship Register. I have been given to understand that the economics of operating the Ireland to France ferry service prompted the company to change the ship's flag and crewing arrangements.

Ireland benefits from having a direct ferry service to the Continent for much of the year. It is regrettable if the economics of providing such a service require the use of non-Irish seafarers and a non-EU flagged ship. I have not spoken to IBEC specifically about the crewing arrangements of the MV Normandy.