Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine his proposals, having particular regard to the safety of fishermen who are fishing alone, to approve the type of electronic positioning emergency radio beacon which can be pinned to the fisherman's life jacket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18088/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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All fishing vessels are already required under the Fishing Vessels (Radio Installations) Regulations, S.I. No. 544 of 1998, to carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

EPIRB's must comply with the technical standards of the satellite service provider COSPAS-SARSAT, and with relevant European Directives, and must be programmed with the vessel's identification details. There is no restriction on attaching an EPIRB to a lifejacket as long as the deployment of the EPIRB or the lifejacket is not compromised in any way.