Maritime Safety Directorate (MSD)

The Maritime Safety Directorate (MSD) is comprised of two main sections; the Marine Survey Office (MSO) which includes the Marine Radio Affairs Unit (MRAU) and the Maritime Safety Policy Division (MSPD).

Irish Coast Guard (IRCG)

The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is responsible for:

Maritime Transport

To provide a framework for the provision by port companies operating within the national transport chain of port services which are efficient, effective and adequate for the needs of our trading economy.

• To facilitate the availability of commercial port services which are effective, competitive and cost efficient.
• To ensure adequate infrastructure at ports to cope with growing throughput and facilitate competitive shipping services in line with assessments of national seaport capacity to 2007.
• To facilitate the coordination and integration of maritime transport within the total transport chain.
• As provided for in the Harbours Act 1996, to oversee the transfer to alternative uses under local control, of those remaining regional ports and harbours which do not form part of the national maritime transport system for trade and travel while maintaining, in transition, an appropriate corporate governance regime.
• To implement the general strategic development framework for State regional ports and harbours through transfer of ownership to port companies or local authorities.
• To expand Irish based ship ownership and ship management and to increase Irish seafarer employment.
• To sustainably increase Irish seafarer and onshore maritime sector employment.