Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how he intends to tackle licensing for a plethora of vessels from smaller workboat type to large construction vessels, as well as standards and certification for seafarers, in particular those who may wish to transition from fishing certificates to merchant marine qualifications to support offshore renewable opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20841/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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At an international level the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced requirements for ships carrying industrial personnel to offshore developments. This is in the form of a new code for such ships referred to as the Industrial Personnel Code (IP Code). This will form a new chapter of the IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and it is due to enter into force from the 1st of July 2024, Ireland is presently planning to implement this new IP Code.

Any vessel, including its crew, used in offshore construction activities must comply with the relevant regulatory requirements set by both the flag state and port state. Foreign flagged vessels which may be used in offshore construction in Ireland must in the first instance comply with the requirements set by state in which they are registered, known as their flag state. These requirements are set at international level by the IMO and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The flag state certifies the ships as complying with these standard including the standards for the seafarers employed. When such ships enter Irish ports they are then subject to port state control to ensure compliance with these standards. For ships registered in Ireland a similar regime operates. In addition, Ireland provides a comprehensive regulatory regime for differing classes of domestic shipping which may be involved. Ireland also implements the IMO International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for the qualifications of seafarers. This training is provided by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the National Maritime College of Ireland, amongst others. This Department is engaging with these training providers in establishing standards for fishers who may wish to obtain seafarer qualifications.