Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the new report from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board; if he will ensure that key recommendations from the report are urgently implemented including the EU directive on minimum health and safety requirements for enhanced medical treatment on board vessels and the revision of marine notices for the provision of medical treatment on board fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36774/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Based on the Deputy's question it is assumed that the report being referred to is MCIB/159, just recently received by my Department, regarding a tragic incident on board the Fishing Vessel "Róise Catríona". The report contains two recommendations, (1) the implementation of Council Directive 92/29/EEC on the minimum safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on board vessels and (2) the revision and reissue of relevant Marine Notices.

With regard to recommendation (1), Directive 92/29/EEC was given effect in 1997 by the European Communities (Minimum Safety and Health Requirements for Improved Medical Treatment on Board Vessels) Regulations (S.I. No. 506 of 1997). These Regulations make it obligatory to provide certain medical facilities on board seagoing vessels, including fishing vessels. Section 9(1) of the 1997 regulations provided for the establishment of a Radio Medical Consultation Centre, known as MEDICO Cork, to provide mariners with free medical advice by radio on a 24-hour basis. The operation of MEDICO Cork is regularly reviewed and is being further expanded in the delivery of new services.

In relation to recommendation (2), Marine Notice No. 36 of 1997 gave notice of the transposition of the Directive into Irish law, summarising the requirements of the Regulations and appending a medical guide for the medicines and medical equipment required on vessels. Marine Notice No. 28 of 2001 gave notice of the establishment of MEDICO Cork and detailed how to make contact with the unit.

With regard to the Marine Notices it is intended to review and refresh them to take account of the new MCIB recommendation and to reissue as appropriate.