Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 97: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review the operation of the port State control in view of the fact that all matters relating to the fiscal entitlements of maritime workers are not within its remit and the ongoing allegations of abuse of many mariners in terms of wages and working conditions; the number of inspectors currently invigilating ships that use Irish waters and ports; the number of prosecutions which have been brought for non-payment or wages and breaches of health and safety conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21279/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Port State Control inspections onboard foreign flagged ships in Irish ports are carried out under the auspices of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on port state control and EU Directives. These inspections are carried out to check for compliance with international law.

Ireland will continue to work within the Paris MoU and with the other EU Member States so as to ensure the development of the necessary port state control procedures that will be required in connection with the entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention. The new Convention sets out clear principles and rights for seafarers. EU member states are committed to ratifying the new Convention by 31 December 2010 and it is expected to come into force internationally in 2011.

The number of marine surveyors employed by my Department and who carry out a range of duties, currently stands at 22. A further 6 marine surveyors are currently under training.

With regard to prosecutions for non-payment of wages and breaches of health and safety conditions, the primary responsibility for the compliance with the law on board ships rests with the flag state in each case.

The payment of wages on foreign flagged ships is a matter for the flag state where the ship is registered and is a matter for the internal domestic law of that country.

The Department's surveyors inspect over 400 foreign flagged ships per year and they detain any ship which poses a safety hazard or which does not comply with the international requirements on living and working arrangements. However, non-payment of wages is not in itself a basis for detention of a vessel by surveyors of my Department.