Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

First, I wish to give some context for the exemption provision in section 46(9), to which these amendments relate. This is a practical provision, given the various types of offshore vessels we will be legislating for. For example, a small crew transfer vessel, which does not have the ability to carry cargo, may be exempt from the provisions in the rules related to the carriage of cargo. This provision is practical from a safety, construction and operational point of view to ensure we do not have a one-size-fits-all situation and can apply the rules having regard to the type and size of vessel, its purpose and its area of operation.

The Senator has suggested several amendments to the provision but I must reiterate its practical nature, which ties in with my earlier explanation of the need to be flexible in applying the provisions of the SOLAS convention to vessels that do not fall within its scope. In addition, the safety convention itself has exemption provisions, which recognise that features of a novel kind may be required for certain vessels.Such exemptions are permitted where the vessel complies with the necessary safety requirements, as determined appropriate by the administration with regard to the type of voyage being undertaken. There are strict governance arrangements in place in these instances, with the State required to report any such exemption to the International Maritime Organization, which audits our compliance with its international conventions. It is not intended that this will be the default position, but rather will occur in exceptional circumstances. The vessels we are talking about are new and evolving all the time, including in how they are powered, where some flexibility is required. Therefore, I cannot accept these amendments.

On the LNG tankers, the carriers importing LNG into Ireland, which involves the carriage of dangerous goods on a large scale, are separate to what is proposed by the Bill. Given the primary purpose of such carriers is the transport of LNG internationally to Ireland, they would not be certified as offshore service vessels under the Bill. Instead, such carriers must be certified under the relevant provisions of the SOLAS Convention, including Chapter VII on the carriage of dangerous goods, and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk. LNG carriers do not fall within the scope of the Bill.