Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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306. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider banning the sale of unseaworthy dinghies by supermarkets in view of the large number of rescues by the coast guard in recent weeks of members of the public at sea in unsuitable dinghies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31745/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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All consumer products placed on the market in the EU are governed by EU legislation. Dinghies sold in supermarkets, depending on their size and specification, are required to comply with the requirements of one of the following EU Directives – the Recreational Craft Directive, the Toys Directive, the Personal Protective Equipment Directive or the General Product Safety Directive. The purpose of these Directives is to ensure that products placed on the market are safe. Manufacturers of products are obliged to ensure that the products comply with the relevant essential requirements and that they are accompanied by operating instructions explaining to consumers the intended use of the product. 

I am not aware that there are any unsafe dinghies on sale in Ireland. However, if a product is found to be faulty or unsafe, market surveillance authorities in Ireland are empowered to restrict or prohibit circulation and require manufacturers to recall or withdraw unsafe products. Correspondingly, there are no legislative provisions to ban the sale of dinghies to consumers who may use these dinghies for purposes other than those intended by the manufacturer.

My Department encourages the safe use of recreational craft and has published a Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft which provides information and advice on best practice for the safe operation of different types of recreational craft, as well as emergency procedures for operators and owners of those craft.  Appendix 10 of the Code gives advice to the public on the purchasing of recreational craft.The code is available free of charge from the Maritime Safety Policy Division of my Department and is also available to view or download from the Department’s website and .

The Irish Coast Guard holds safety awareness demonstrations around the country as well as broadcasting safety messages through the national media. The Marine Safety Working Group, chaired by the Coast Guard has responsibility for the promotion of marine and inland water safety awareness. As part of its work programme, it produces booklets and posters entitled "Safety on the Water" also available on www.safetyonthewater.ie.