Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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225. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nature of the European Commission's letter of formal notice of 24 January 2020 concerning Council Directive (EU) 2017/159, Commission reference INFR(2020)0062; the status of this infringement procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57487/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Department of Transport has primary responsibility for Council Directive (EU) 2017/159, which implements the Agreement concerning the implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 of the International Labour Organisation. On 24 January 2020, the Department of Transport received a Letter of Formal Notice from the European Commission relating to the late transposition of Council Directive (EU) 2017/159.

Directive 2017/159 implements a social partners agreement concerning the implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 aimed at ensuring decent living and working conditions on board fishing vessels. The Directive covers a number of requirements for work on board including conditions of service, accommodation and food, occupational safety and health protection, medical care and social security. Transposition of the Directive was a complex exercise and a number of separate Statutory Instruments had to be put in place to ensure continuity with existing legislation.

This work is now complete and, on 7 September 2020, my Department communicated to the European Commission via the European Commission National Execution Measures System (NEMS) that the Directive had been transposed in full. The final view of the European Commission on this infringement case is awaited.

My Department continues to put in place the necessary measures to improve the transposition, implementation and enforcement of transport law in Ireland. A dedicated EU Coordination Unit within my Department is responsible for engaging with the EU Commission on these issues and works closely with responsible Officials in the Department of Transport, and other Departments as required, in response to each case.