Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the length of time the process for the International Shipping and Port Facility Security certification for a harbour takes from submission of application to approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40889/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) is a part of the International Maritime Organisation's SOLAS Convention and is implemented by means of EU Regulation 725/2004 on Enhancing Ship and Port Facility Security. The main objective of the Regulation and the ISPS Code is to introduce measures aimed at enhancing the security of ships used in international trade and domestic shipping and associated port facilities in the face of threats of intentional unlawful acts.

The process of seeking approval is a matter for the port facility operator to manage and the length of time to process an application varies depending on many matters including the complexity of the facility and any iterations and commenting process involved. As part of the process a port facility security assessment must be carried out, reviewed and approved in accordance with the provisions of ISPS Code and EU Regulation. A port facility security plan must also be developed, reviewed, approved and implemented in accordance with the provisions of the ISPS Code and Regulation. No time period is set out for these processes, and it is not possible to give a particular time frame.

However, officials from the Marine Survey Office of my Department work closely with applicants to ensure that the process is managed in an efficient and effective manner and they have ongoing engagement throughout the process with the applicant and also after approval to ensure effective implementation and to address any required modifications to the assessment and plan.