Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In many instances the introduction of primary legislation is necessary prior to the ratification of an international convention by the State; this is true of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (the Hong Kong Convention).

My Department is currently working to progress a Merchant Shipping (International Conventions) Bill to give effect to several international Conventions related to fishing vessel safety, training, working and living conditions for fishers. Ratification of the Hong Kong Convention is included in the Department's legislative programme and will be part of a future Merchant Shipping (Environmental International Conventions) Bill. Given the complex nature of the Bill and the need to review existing legislation relating to the recycling of ships it is not possible to provide a definitive timeline for the completion of the Bill at this stage but it will not be within the coming legislative term.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances (OPRC-HNS Protocol) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2000 and extends the requirements which are in place for dealing with oil pollution incidents to include incidents involving hazardous and noxious substances.

Ratification by Ireland of the OPRC-HNS Protocol is included within a comprehensive 10-year maritime legislative programme, in place within my Department, which takes account of our legislative obligations at domestic, EU and international levels.

This Protocol has already been given partial effect in Ireland via the Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 and with the implementation of the National Maritime Oil & HNS Spill Contingency Plan (NMOSCP) published in 2020.

The National Maritime Oil & HNS Spill Contingency Plan establishes Ireland’s national framework and strategy to coordinate marine pollution preparedness and response. The Plan addresses all oil and Hazardous Noxious Substance (HNS) pollution whether it originates from ships, harbours, offshore units, Oil/HNS handling facilities or land-based sources and covers waters in the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In addition, it provides for and supports current mechanisms in requesting assistance from other countries through bilateral and multilateral arrangements in the event of a major maritime pollution incident.

As part of its legislative programme, my Department is currently assessing whether further legislation is required in order to fully implement the Protocol. Once this process has concluded we will be in a position to ratify the Protocol and fully intend doing so.