Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider amending the restrictions on the skipper limited certificate of competency to qualify holders to operate outside the area between 62°N and 48°N, recognising that fishing vessels are obliged to operate outside these areas from time to time during their season in order to make a living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30197/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The safety of fishing vessels is a very important matter for my Department. One of the key aspects of fishing vessel safety is the competency of the skipper and the crew. It is for this reason that the competency of the skippers of fishing vessels is regulated to protect the fishing vessel itself and also other vessels at sea. Regrettably, there has been a number of collisions involving fishing vessels, most recently last September in the Irish sea where there was a collision between an Irish registered fishing vessel and an oil tanker. Holders of the Skipper Limited certificate of competency may operate between 61°N and 42°N. These certificates are issued by the Marine Survey Office of my Department following the satisfactory completion of a course of study and examinations. However, in order for a holder of a Skipper Limited certificate to trade in other areas the requirements as set out in the examination directions for certificates of competency must be complied with and the appropriate syllabus and examinations completed.