______________________________________________
For Written Answer on : 17/05/2022
Question Number(s): 196 Question Reference(s): 24487/22
Department: Transport
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
______________________________________________
QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Transport the number of persons who have been fined for not wearing a life jacket in each of the past five years while partaking in water activities in respective counties in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The requirements for the wearing of personal flotation devices/lifejackets are contained in various regulations made under the Merchant Shipping Acts relating to particular types of vessel and in particular circumstances. For example, the Pleasure Craft (Personal Flotation Devices and Operation) (Safety) Regulations 2005 (S.I. No. 921 of 2005), as amended, contain requirements relating to the carriage and wearing of personal flotation devices on pleasure craft. Non-compliance with the provisions of the regulations may result in a fixed payment notice issued by authorised officers, which include members of the Garda Siochána, Naval Service, Harbour Masters and other persons authorised by the Minister for Transport, or prosecution and, on summary conviction, a fine of up to €5,000.
The Fishing Vessel (Personal Flotation Devices) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 586 of 2001), as amended, contain requirements relating to the wearing of personal flotation devices by crew members on fishing vessels. Compliance with the requirements of the Regulations lies with authorised officers as described above, with the penalty being a fine, on summary conviction, of up to €5,000.
For the information of the Deputy, fixed payments are not fines. Fines are imposed by the Courts. In this instance, in terms of prosecutions, my Department is not aware of any fines issued by the Courts in the relevant time period.
