asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if it is intended to ratify the inter Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisations Convention adopted at the IMCO Conference of July, 1978 establishing basic requirements of training, certification and watch keeping for seafarers and, if not, why.

It is intended to ratify in due course the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978. The Merchant Shipping (Certification of Seamen) Bill, 1979, the text of which was circulated to Deputies recently, will, when enacted, together with the regulations to be made thereunder, provide certain additional statutory powers which are required before Ireland can ratify the convention.