Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the implementation status of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention. [48595/17]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the merchant shipping Bill. [48596/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

I take it the Deputy is referring to the planned Merchant Shipping (International Conventions) Bill.  This is still at the preliminary preparatory stages in my Department, prior to seeking Government approval for its drafting in due course.  The main purpose of the Bill is to provide the legislative framework for Ireland to become a party to a number of international maritime conventions.

The SOLAS Convention is an international convention of the International Maritime Organisation relating to the safety of ships (both passenger ships and cargo ships of >500 gross tonnes) that are engaged on international voyages.  In effect, it sets standards for such ships’ construction, equipment and operation.  Ireland is a party to the SOLAS Convention, and as a Flag State is responsible for ensuring and certifying that ships on the Irish register that undertake international voyages comply with the relevant SOLAS requirements, which vary according to the size of the ship and the year of construction. 

Additionally, under Port State Control, foreign ships in national ports are inspected to verify that the condition of the ship and its equipment complies with the requirements of international conventions (including SOLAS) and that the ship is manned and operated in compliance with those conventions.

Port State Control inspections are carried out by the Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department while Flag State activities are undertaken by the MSO and by authorised Recognised Organisations on their behalf.