Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Transport if it is possible for a fishing vessel to simultaneously hold a licence to carry passengers while also holding a sea fishing boat licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21791/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Due to the need to ensure the safety of passengers it is not permitted for a vessel to hold both a sea fishing vessel safety certificate and a passenger boat licence. This is because the safety record of fishing vessels is not as good as that for passenger boats. Fishing vessels carry on-board fishing nets, lifting equipment and other equipment, which can endanger the safety of passengers. Fishing vessels frequently operate in rough seas and in poor weather conditions; they are often subject to operational damage and experience high degrees of wear and tear. This is not compatible with the higher levels of safety required for the carriage of passengers. Passenger boats are required to be maintained to a higher standard and are only permitted to operate in favourable weather.

There have been some tragic incidents where fishing vessels carrying passengers sank with tragic consequences. The most notable one being the loss of the "MFV Pisces" which sank with the loss of five lives in 2002. The Pisces was a sea fishing vessel, which was being used to carry passengers.