Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 387: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in future, when civilian ships have to be chartered to transport units of the Defence Forces or their equipment to and from overseas missions and a vessel that is not in conformity with Article 91 of UNCLOS has to be used, he will take firm and decisive steps to ensure, before any contractual commitments are entered into by the State, that the terms and conditions of employment for the crew are set by a collective bargaining agreement of a type approved by the International Transport Workers Federation, such approval by the ITF being the normal quality assurance procedure and practice worldwide for maritime collective bargaining agreements. [16024/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The requirement for the Defence Forces to charter civilian ships normally arises in the context of the logistical transport of military equipment abroad for the purpose of participation in peacekeeping and peace support operations. The most recent charter was the MV Zeran, which was used to transfer military equipment to Chad.

I am advised that all ships chartered by the Defence Forces meet the full international standard in terms of condition, certificates, employment conditions and capability and this will continue to be the case for any future charters.