Written answers

Thursday, 1 June 2006

Department of Transport

Industrial Disputes

5:00 pm

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Transport if he or his Department have had or intend to have discussions with the relevant parties involved in relation to the allegations made by the International Transport Federation regarding a company (details supplied) in relation to pay and work conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21363/06]

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the International Transport Workers' Federation has had concerns for some time in relation to the pay and work conditions on the ship operated by the company referred to by the Deputy.

The Department of Transport has certain responsibilities in relation to Irish registered ships; the operation of ships on other ship registers is governed by applicable national and international law. The Department of Transport has no function in relation to seafarers' wages.

The ship operated by the company is not registered on the Irish Ship Register. Obligations on the ship's owners regarding maintenance, crewing standards and certification of those matters are appropriate to the Flag State operating the ship's register, St. Vincent and The Grenadines.

Foreign registered vessels using Irish ports, including the ship operated by the company, are inspected regularly by the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport in the exercise of Ireland's Port State Control obligations. These inspections are aimed at ensuring that such vessels are maintained and operated in compliance with international safety standards laid down by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and, in relation 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. These inspections do not deal with pay and pay related working conditions.

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