Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will give consideration to extending the deadline, beyond 1 October 2010 for 15 m to 24 m fishing vessels to meet the requirements for the new certificate of compliance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a large number of fishing boats around the coastline still waiting to be surveyed; if his Department is in a position to provide some financial support to assist hard-pressed fishermen with the task of improving their vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The development of safety regulations for fishing vessels dates back to the Fishing Vessel Safety Review group, which reported in 1996. One key recommendation made by that group was for the establishment of a safety regime for fishing vessels covering stability, strength, hull and machinery. Such a scheme was introduced in 1999 for fishing vessels greater than 24 m in length. A further scheme was introduced for fishing vessels less than 15 m in 2004.

Following fishing vessel tragedies in 2007 efforts focused on the development of a scheme for the fishing vessels in the 15 to 24 m length category. My Department developed regulations for such vessels based on international standards and these regulations were subject to extensive public consultations, following which the regulations entered into force in September of that year. A phased approach was adopted in implementing the regulations, with all new fishing vessels to comply by the 1 October 2007, fishing vessels up to ten years old to comply by 1 October 2008 and fishing vessels up to 20 years old to comply by 1 October 2009. This October the remainder of the fleet have to comply.

The majority of owners in the fishing vessel class in question have already made application for inspection to the Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department and the surveyors are continuing to work with these owners to ensure that vessels can progressively be brought up to compliance standards as quickly as possible. I would, therefore, encourage any vessel owner who has yet to apply to do so now and to engage with the MSO on progressing his / her vessel towards compliance. As these are key safety regulations and as there has been extensive consultation with the fishing industry and engagement by the majority of vessel owners in the class it is better not to extend the deadline for compliance. As my Department fulfils the safety regulator role it does not provide financial support to the fishing industry.