asked the Minister for Labour if he will state in relation to the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973 the extent to which share fishermen or employees in share fishing are involved in agreements under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.

The Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973 does not apply to persons employed under an employment agreement pursuant to Part II or Part IV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. Under Part IV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 the skipper of every fishing boat being a steam or motor trawler of 25 tons gross or upwards is required to enter an agreement with every seaman whom he carries to sea as one of his crew. This provision applies whether the seaman receives remuneration in wages or by share in the catch.

The agreement must be in a form approved by the Minister for Transport.

Part II of the Act deals with agreements for seamen on cargo vessels.