Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

823. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all major Irish fishing ports will be included on the ports of registry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7865/20]

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

Ship registration is governed by the Mercantile Marine Act 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 Revenue Commissioners hold the statutory ship registration role and appoint the registrars of ships. Currently there are 13 ports of registry designated as such in accordance with the 1955 Act. Any proposal for additional ports of registry would require consideration in consultation with the Revenue Commissioners, including having regard to the merits of each location and the ongoing resource and administration implications that would arise.

The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014, although not yet commenced, provides a basis for the introduction of an updated and modernised ship registration system in Ireland, replacing the 1955 Act. The 2014 Act provides an enabling framework for the introduction of a new centralised, electronic Irish Register of Ships. Section 30 of the Act will facilitate changes to the list of ports of registry having regard to a number of considerations, including the demand for a port to be a port of registry, the importance of the location and the level of maritime activity at the port. When the new central Irish Register of Ships is in place and the 2014 Act is commenced, I will be open to considering the case for a particular port to be made a port of registry that is made on the basis of the framework set out in the Act.

Pending the commencement of the 2014 Act, I have no plans to review the list of ports of registry.