Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of legislative or regulatory recommendations that have been made by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board since its establishment; the number of these recommendations that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38425/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was established on 5 June 2002. Since its establishment, the MCIB has published over 100 reports containing in excess of 400 recommendations.

The majority of these recommendations have been implemented. Where measures have yet to be implemented they provide a valuable input into the ongoing development of the maritime safety agenda and are considered by my Department in the overall context of delivering maritime safety.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Transport the way he considers and assesses reports by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board; if he gives reasons for not following the recommendations of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board; if not, his views on a more transparent assessment by Government of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38426/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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When the Marine Casualty Board (MCIB) publishes a report into an incident it forwards a copy of it to my Department.

As soon as possible after receiving it, my Department undertakes an initial assessment of the recommendations of the report relevant to the Department. The report is then submitted to me with the preliminary views of my Department on the relevant recommendations.

Some recommendations lend themselves to early implementation, for example the issue of a Marine Notice bringing particular information or advice to the attention of a specific sector or sectors. Frequently, however, recommendations are more complex and require detailed assessment, consultation with interested parties and in some instances the introduction of new or amending legislation. In such instances the recommendations will be fully considered and proposals developed as appropriate as part of my Department's ongoing work programme, in the overall context of delivering improved maritime safety.

It may be the case that following consideration of a particular recommendation that it is concluded that the course of action recommended may not be feasible or the most appropriate and that an alternative approach may be preferable. Such a conclusion would usually be arrived at following detailed examination by my Department's marine safety experts and consultation with relevant interests.

I consider that the current system of assessing MCIB recommendations is working well but it will be kept under review.