"SAFER ships and cleaner seas" have been promised by the Minister for the Marine following agreement on two directives at yesterday's EU Transport Council in Brussels.

The council, chaired by Ireland, has also secured a "new policy focus" for Europe's shipping industry, Mr Barrett said. But Mr Joey Murrin, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, has called for the full implementation of the fishing vessel safety review report published earlier this year.

Some 89 Irish fishing vessels will be affected by the safety directive. The second directive applies to shipping and aims to strengthen controls on vessels carrying nuclear fuels.

There was also political agreement on the maritime strategy drawn up by the EU Transport Commissioner, Mr Neil Kinnock.

Under the first directive, all skippers and owners of fishing vessels over 24 metres must ensure their craft comply with standards of stability and seaworthiness.

They must also ensure that relevant fire protection and extinguishing equipment is carried on board; specialised life-saving appliances are fitted; proper crew procedures and emergency training measures are provided; relevant radio-communication and navigational equipment is fitted; and new construction and equipment requirements are met.

The measures apply to all vessels fishing in EU waters and landing in EU ports. Skippers and owners will have two years to comply. The directive, which translates an international agreement known as the Torremolinos Convention -into EU law, represents a "significant milestone" for the Irish and EU fishing industries, Mr Barrett said. It represented one element in the recent fishing vessel safety review, which industry representatives have called repeatedly on the Minister to implement.