Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

619. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include two fishing ports (details supplied) in the list of merchant shipping registry of ports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53599/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ship registration is currently governed by the Mercantile Marine 1955, as amended.  Section 32(2) of that Act provides that the Minister may by order, after consultation with the Revenue Commissioners, amend the list of ports of registry mentioned in the Second Schedule to the Act.

The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014, while not yet commenced, provides a basis for the establishment of an updated and modernised ship registration system in Ireland, replacing the 1955 Act.  The list of ports of registry contained in Schedule 3 of the 2014 Act is the same as those designated under the 1955 Act.

Section 30 of the 2014 Act will allow changes to the list of ports of registry subject to a number of considerations:

- the demand that exists for the port to be a port of registry,

- the importance of the location for commercial shipping traffic or business, fishing, recreational or other maritime activity, 

- the geographical location of the port, and 

- the level of maritime activity with regard to shipping at the port.

When the new central Irish Register of Ships and modernised ship registration system are in place and the 2014 Act is commenced, I will be open to considering any case for a particular port that is made to me on the basis of the framework set out in the Act.  Until such a time however, I do not propose to amend the list of ports of registry.