Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Regulations, 1998 (S.I. No. 550 of 1998).

These Regulations provide that a fishing vessel of any class to which the Council Directive 97/70/EC setting up a harmonized safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over applies, shall not be used for fishing unless it meets the conditions regarding safety as laid down by these Regulations. The Minister may grant exemptions from all or any of the provisions of these Regulations for classes of cases on such terms as he or she may specify. The Regulations further empower the Minister to grant a Certificate of Compliance, a Record of Equipment and, where appropriate, an Exemption Certificate. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of every fishing vessel to which the Directive applies, to have the various surveys required under the terms of the Directive carried out in due time at the intervals specified in the Directive.