License adventure centres, says FG

Marine adventure centres should be licensed and policed, according to a Private Members' Bill published yesterday by Fine Gael.

Legislation to ensure participants' safety should be initiated by the Minister for the Marine under the aegis of the Health and Safety Authority, the party says.

It proposes that the HSA work closely with the Association for Adventure Sports (AFAS), whose members monitor standards through a voluntary code.

Publishing the draft legislation in Crosshaven, Co Cork, yesterday the party's marine spokesman, Mr Michael Finucane, said self-regulation was no longer sufficient. "Legislation will be in the long-term interests of these centres."

Referring to the growth in outdoor adventure centres, Mr Finucane said many were professionally run, but the very nature of water-based activities demanded that standards be implemented with the power of law. Legislators could not ignore the increasing number of serious accidents.

Mr Finucane said he recognised that the proposed legislation would require additional resources for the HSA.

The proposed Bill provides for withdrawal of licences where activity centres are in breach of regulations or conditions required by the HSA.

"I am not casting any aspersions on the AFAS standards, as this organisation is doing a very good job. But not all centres are members of this organisation," he said.

His party intends to seek Government support for the legislation, entitled the Activity Centres (Young Persons' Water Safety) Bill, 1998, when the Dail resumes in the autumn.