Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of the new regulations, the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat Manning) Regulations 2005, that were recently issued by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34344/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat Manning) Regulations 2005, SI 649 of 2005, require all skippers of passenger boats to hold a valid certificate for the appropriate class of vessel and a commercial endorsement verifying that the skipper has attained the standard specified in marine notice 27 of 2005 in respect of personal survival techniques, first aid and medical fitness. The regulations will not come into effect until 1 April 2006 to allow a sufficient lead in time to enable skippers and crew to undertake the necessary training.

In accordance with the regulations, I have appointed the Irish Sailing Association as a body for the purpose of issuing certificates and commercial endorsements under the regulations. Discussions are currently under way with a view to additional organisations becoming appointed bodies in the near future.

This is a key initiative in the Department's ongoing safety programme and builds on the regulations that were introduced in 2002 setting down standards for the construction of, and safety equipment to be carried on, passenger boats. The regulations have been introduced following a consultation process with interested parties. They also address one of the recommendations in the report of the marine casualty investigation board into the loss of the Pisces at Fethard-on-Sea in July 2002, when five people tragically lost their lives.

My focus in introducing the new regulations is to enhance safety and to ensure that the public can have confidence that when they pay to be carried on a passenger boat that those in charge of the vessel are appropriately trained and certified. Full details of the new regulations are available on the Department's website, www.dcmnr.ie.