Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the progress made with the European Commission in the matter of the re-introduction of a suitably revised proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on manning conditions for regular passenger and ferry services operating between Member States of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20522/07]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the progress made with the European Commission in the matter of the re-introduction of a suitably revised proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on manning conditions for regular passenger and ferry services operating between Member States of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20523/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 502 together.

At the Maritime Transport Council in December 2005, former Minister of State for Transport Pat the Cope Gallagher urged the European Commission to consider re-visiting the former proposal on pay and conditions on ferries operating between member states, which was withdrawn by the Commission in 2004.

The Commission indicated that it would continue to study all possible solutions aimed at safeguarding employment in the maritime sector and that it would also continue to pursue the implementation of International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards into Community law and to encourage discussion on this issue within the framework of the European Social Dialogue.

In 2007, following requests from Member States and the European Parliament, the Commission launched a study entitled: "Study on the labour market and employment conditions in intra-Community regular maritime transport services carried out by ships under Member States' or third countries' flags", which is due to be completed in mid 2008.