Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 330: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the costs involved in the code of practice survey for fishermen, particularly the owners of vessels fewer than 18 m which were excluded from the decommissioning scheme, if he will contact the marine survey office with a view to introducing a reasonable timeframe for works identified under the code of practice survey which do not impact on marine safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35776/10]

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. Following several 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, the following October fishing vessels up to ten years old had to comply and from 1 October 2009 fishing vessels up to 20 years old had to comply. This October the remainder of the fleet have to comply.

Among the safety provisions now being introduced are rules governing the integrity of the hull and stability of the vessel. While I understand that some owners are reluctant to submit their vessels for survey because of concerns about meeting the hull and stability standards, I have to stress that these rules in particular are critical to ensuring the safety of fishing vessels. It is only through the implementation of such internationally accepted safety standards can we hope to avoid many of the fishing vessel tragedies in the past.

I am glad to say that 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. 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.