I will raise an issue about small craft registration in Ireland. The Marine Survey Office is responsible for registering all vessels, from large cargo ships to small pleasure boats. Registration is essential for every ship travelling to ports in and out of the EU and other countries. However, the current system is simply not working for small-craft owners. Many are facing lengthy delays, excessive paperwork and requirements that suit larger commercial ships rather than recreational boats. In some cases, owners are being asked to provide an unbroken chain of ownership going back decades which simply is impossible for older boats.

I know of one young couple who applied to register their vessel and paid the required fee immediately. Four months later, they have still not received a survey or any meaningful communication from the Department. In the end, they had no choice but to register their boat in another EU country so they could continue their plans. They are proud Irish people and wanted to sail under the Irish flag but instead have been forced to fly the flag of another country because of the delays in our system. I also spoke to a number of small-craft owners over the weekend and they told me the same. Registering in Ireland is so difficult many choose to register in other countries, such as Poland, instead.

This simply does not make sense. An Irish boat should be able to be registered effectively in Ireland. I am asking the Minister to be contacted to explain why this situation has arisen and what actions will be taken to introduce a straightforward effective registering system for small craft boats without further delay. It is totally wrong when people save, put their good money into a boat and want to go sailing, yet have to go to another EU country to register the boat. There is something wrong with the Department here and it needs to be shaken up.