John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will establish a register for certain small craft which would, as the Revenue Commissioners have suggested to his Department, be of considerable benefit to Revenue in controlling coastal smuggling, particularity drug smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3497/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Mercantile Marine Act 1955 sets out the requirements for registering vessels in Ireland. Irish owned vessels over 15 net tons are required to be registered under the Act. However, for vessels under 15 net tons, registration is voluntary and owners may register such a craft if they so wish. Small leisure craft would fall into this category. The 1955 Act and the system of registration in Ireland are under review in my Department. The comments received during an earlier consultation exercise are being taken into account in the deliberations on a proposed new regime. One of the issues being considered is how best to improve provision for the registration of leisure craft, including jet skis and other small craft.

The Revenue Commissioners have indicated their support for a revision of the current system of registration. Following completion of the current phase of the review, they will be consulted along with other relevant parties, on new outline proposals to replace the existing regime. It is intended that this consultation process will commence in March. My officials will continue to develop more detailed proposals for the revision of the existing registration system, taking into account the outcome of the public consultation, with a view towards submitting proposals for new legislation to Government by the end of the year.