Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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202. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 23 May 2013, the current status of the five applications currently on hand; when each was received and when it is expected that a determination will be made on each application; when each of the two fully approved applications were received and when approval was given by his Department; if in view of the points raised on topical issues of 22 may 2013 he will prioritise the processing of the outstanding applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26163/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ship approval is a complex process and normally involves a significant number of oral and written queries before a formal application can take place. On foot of the application, detailed documentation must be submitted in relation to the ship and this is reviewed by an independent marine surveyor. An inspection cannot take place until the documentation submitted is complete.

My Department facilitates the inspection of ships, often outside the boundaries of the European Union and in a manner convenient to the ship owners. In many cases, more than one inspection is required to ensure that ships meet the standards set out in Irish legislation. This is necessary to ensure optimum welfare standards and to minimise any risk to animals.

With regard to the two ships that have been approved, the application for one was received on 1 June 2012 and, following a second inspection and substantial refurbishment work, the ship was approved on 18 February 2013. The application for the second ship was received on 21 March 2013 and approval issued on 12 April 2013.

Applications for the five outstanding approvals were made earlier this year as follows: 26 January 2013, 14 February 2013, 18 March 2013, 18 April 2013, 15 May 2013.

Two of the ships involved have undergone inspections by an independent marine surveyor and a Department Veterinary Inspector. Both were deemed not to meet the standards laid out in the legislation in their current state. Detailed reports were issued to the ship owners on foot of these inspections. The other three applications are at the documentation review stage.