I move amendment No. 1: In page 24, line 12, after “in” to insert “civil or”. This section was amended on Committee Stage to ensure accident investigation reports of the marine accident investigation unit, MAIU, are prohibited from being used in criminal proceedings. I wish to further amend this section to also prohibit their use in civil proceedings. It is a strict requirement of the EU directive that investigations of the MAIU must be independent of criminal investigations or other parallel investigations held to determine liability or apportion blame. This amendment makes this distinction clear in respect of the use of evidence. This amendment will also reduce the risk of a chilling effect by ensuring witnesses and those involved in marine accidents can provide information without fear of this information being used in litigation. It is also important to note this amendment would not preclude a coroner from referring to a report of the MAIU in a coroner's inquest as questions of liability, whether criminal or civil, are not part of the coronial process.
Sentiment score: -0.18
Many issues were raised and many reports were mentioned. Ireland intends to ratify the Cape Town Agreement. However, important matters relating to the implementation of the agreement have been raised at the IMO. The Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments developed interim guidelines to assist in the implementation of that agreement, which was adopted in December 2024. The formal resolution is awaited and Ireland is fully engaged with the process at the IMO. We have a higher standard than what is being set out in the Cape Town Agreement. The recommendations and observations of the Clinch report have been published and have been or are being implemented. This Bill is put in place to enhance the safety regime and bring accident investigation into line with best international practice. It is also there to regulate offshore service vehicles. The Lacey report was not a report on marine accident investigation. It was a report of a previous government looking at the possibility of setting up a multimodal accident investigation unit. This Bill only concerns marine accidents. There is nothing precluding us from introducing a multimodal approach in the future but we need this Bill now to improve safety. There is no confusion about the agencies and what they will investigate. The agency will operate on a statutory remit. At present, all work on investigations work within their statutory remit with no issues - gardaí, Marine Survey offices, etc. If a vehicle is tied up, there is still no difference. It is investigated.
Sentiment score: 0.09
What I said was that the report has not been published in full but the recommendations and observations have been published. Recruitment is at clearance stage but no appointments have been made and will not be made until this Bill is enacted. Recruitment has gone through the Public Appointments Service process. I am new to this position. I have no problem meeting people and my officials will come back to the Deputies about that. That is part of what I will do.
Sentiment score: -0.17
I move amendment No. 2: In page 47, line 10, to delete “1994” and substitute “2000”. Amendments Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, are technical textual amendments for defining the high-speed craft code of 2000. This section deals with consequential amendments required to other merchant shipping Acts on foot of the new requirements for offshore service vessels. The amendments proposed are technical amendments to correct typographical errors in the definition of the high-speed craft code of 2000.
Sentiment score: -0.11
I move amendment No. 3: In page 47, line 11, after “MSC.97(73),” to insert “and any amendments made to it”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 4: In page 47, line 12, to delete “on 28 April 2022”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 5: In page 47, line 13, to delete “28th” and substitute “28”.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I move amendment No. 6: In page 49, line 19, to delete “107th session” and substitute “110th session”. Amendments Nos. 6 and 7 will allow for the updating of the definition of the Maritime Labour Convention to take into account amendments adopted in 2022 that came into force in December 2024. This section deals with consequential amendments required to other merchant shipping Acts on foot of the new requirements for offshore service vessels. The proposed amendments update the definition of the Maritime Labour Convention to take into account amendments adopted in 2022 that came into force in 2024. This will allow for regulation to be made to give effect to the 2022 amendments.
Sentiment score: 0.02
I thank Deputy McGrath for his contribution. I will meet him to discuss the issue he has raised. He can bring it to my attention after the debate. Will I give my closing remarks now?
Sentiment score: 0.09
Is everybody happy? I thank all Deputies for their contributions this evening. I know their hearts are in the right place. I thank the House for facilitating Report and Final Stages today. The important thing is that this Bill is to enhance the safety regime and bring accident investigation in line with international best practice and standards. We also need to regulate offshore service vessels because they are required if we are to take full advantage of offshore wind energy. We have made progress towards achieving two important policy objectives with this Bill. As I said, this Bill is about enhancing our maritime safety regime and marine accident investigation. It also provides for the necessary regulation-making power to cater for the vessels being used in the offshore service sector and the carriage of industrial personnel on those vessels. I thank the MCIB, its board, investigators and staff members for their ongoing work. The new unit will build on the important contribution they have made. I again thank Deputies for their contributions. I look forward to the Bill being referred to the Seanad for its next Stages.
Sentiment score: 0.30
I move amendment No. 7: In page 49, line 20, to delete “5 June 2018” and substitute “6 June 2022”.
Sentiment score: -0.15