Ms Cliona Cassidy:

I apologise for speaking out of turn earlier in the process. I will answer Deputy Fitzmaurice first. With regard to the safety recommendations, it is correct they are recommendations which may or may not be adhered to but they have been incorporated into the maritime safety strategy. They have been taken on board, we know, by particular companies in respect of recommendations that have been made and even by individual skippers and owners of vessels who have been involved in incidents. In these circumstances we do not have a stick to beat people with, and I am not sure that is an appropriate role for us. We are there to find the cause of an incident and develop the safety recommendations.

The safety recommendations should be broad enough to allow individuals or organisations to make sure they are appropriate for their purposes and indicate how they need to change something or introduce procedures and protocols.

Deputy Robert Troy's first query was about the new process. No, I did not go through the new process for this appointment. The extension is only for one year. We were in the process of looking for a new chairman. Last year the board changed a lot. It is a five-member board and last year three members changed. In addition, the secretariat comprises three members and we had two new members. There are a number of challenges facing us in terms of a number of reports received and also the incoming general data protection regulation, GDPR. I made the offer to the Department that I would remain on for one year to allow for a staggered change in the board, rather than have wholesale changes, and my offer was accepted. I only sought an extra year in my appointment as chairperson designate.

Deputy Robert Troy asked whether my lack of experience affected my ability to do the job. I may not have provided the committee with sufficient information to enable members to understand the role of chairman. Obviously, I do not investigate any incident. We have a panel of investigators who are marine surveyors and engineers who are trained investigators. We provide them with training courses that allow them to investigate and prepare reports, of which the board has oversight. We come with the safety recommendations arising from investigations. It is not the case that I have no experience of maritime matters. As I have no connection with the maritime industry, I do not see myself as conflicted. In fact, my role is to ensure there are natural justice, fair and constitutional procedures in place for investigations and the manner in which they are undertaken and reported on. We also ensure we generate focused recommendations. My role does not have an awful lot to do with experience of the maritime industry or investigations but more with the reporting element and ensuring there is independence, confidentiality and fair procedures in place.

Deputy Robert Troy asked how many safety recommendations had been directed towards the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I do not have a specific number for him. The majority of our reports have, at least, one safety recommendation directed towards that Department.