Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason EU Directive 95/21/EC on enhancing maritime safety including pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions on ships using Irish ports has not been fully implemented; the steps he will take to fully implement this directive as well as strengthening the system for monitoring and enforcing the basic rights and conditions for all maritime workers in ships in Irish ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26849/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland implements an effective port state control regime and the Port State Control Officers from my Department each year inspect approximately 400 foreign flagged ships. They detain any of these ships which have serious safety or environment related deficiencies. The inspections include enforcement of the provisions for living and working conditions.

Following recent assessment visits by the European Maritime Safety Agency, EMSA, the Commission found that Ireland needs to improve in some areas including the reporting of ship calls and inspections out-of-hours. The steps which I am taking to improve our system include enhancing Ireland's maritime single window web portal "SafeSeasIreland." This will facilitate the reporting of ship calls and the targeting of sub-standard ships. Considerable effort has gone into developing this system and informing the industry of the requirements, including industry seminars and individual workshops provided by the Marine Survey Office. In addition, as it may be necessary to carry out inspections at weekends, negotiations have started with the unions to provide for such cover. Moreover, as there is an obligation on the shipping industry to report ship movements, my Department has issued Marine Notice No. 13 of 2010 in this regard.

From the 1st of January 2011 a new port state control regime will be introduced called the New Inspection Regime. This will be supported by a new information system THETIS that will be integrated with SafeSeasIreland. This new regime will strengthen port state control and it will focus on sub-standard ships and the companies operating them. It will include the provisions of the appropriate International Labour Organization Conventions.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will oppose the proposal by Commissioner Kallas in the European Commission to remove self-employed drivers of trucks and buses over 3.5 tonnes from the working time directive for the transport sector in view of the impact of such a proposals on national road safety, the health and safety of transport workers and on the livelihoods of small Irish hauliers and operators; the actions he has taken to oppose this proposal at European Commission level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26820/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Directive 2002/15 – the Working Time Directive for Mobile Workers - applies to self-employed drivers, among other mobile workers. Following a detailed study and impact analysis of various options in relation to the implementation of the Directive, and in line with that study's recommendations, the European Commission made proposals to amend the Directive, including a proposal to exclude genuine self employed bus and truck operators from the scope of that Directive. On that basis Ireland supported the Commission's proposals, as did the majority of other Member States.

I understand that following the recent rejection by the European Parliament of the Commission's proposals in relation to self-employed drivers, the Commission is now reviewing the position. The outcome of the Commission's review is awaited and when their position is known, I will assess the situation at that time.