The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern, has said that new regulations on boat safety will herald a safer regime for passengers and boat operators.
Earlier this week west coast sea anglers expressed doubt that new regulations would prevent a repeat of the loss of life off the Co Wexford coast two months ago.
The Connacht branch of the Irish Federation of Sea Anglers believes the Minister has not been properly briefed on the precise implications of extending passenger-boat regulations to sea angling vessels, and the anomalies in the current system of safety rules.
Application of the passenger-boat regulations to sea angling vessels has been brought forward from June of next year to January, and the Minister is hosting a series of seminars to publicise the measure.
From January 1st all passenger boats will be required to have a licence to operate, and to qualify for this each boat must be surveyed by a Department marine surveyor.
"Safety at sea and on water is the No 1 priority," the Minister said.
"I am most anxious that everyone involved in the passenger-boat sector would attend." He felt the regulations would also have lasting benefits for the tourist industry.
Experts from the Department's maritime safety directorate will be in attendance to answer technical and general queries on the new regulations, the Minister said.
The first of five seminars is to be held in Oranmore, Galway, at the Galway Bay Hotel and Country Club on October 16th from 7 to 10 p.m.
Further seminars are planned on October 17th at the Lake Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry, from 7 p.m.; October 21st at the Cedars Hotel, Rosslare, Co Wexford, from 7 p.m.; October 23rd at Dublin Castle (Coach House) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and October 24th at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, from 7 p.m.
