Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Actually, there is an issue with regard to the independence. I know the Bill involves a short technical amendment but there is a wider issue about the independence of marine accident investigations. It may well be that we might seek to expand the Bill. There may be some merit in pre-legislative scrutiny to widen it. It is very important when a report is written by a marine accident investigator that it is not subject to amendment and that it is independent. There is a valid concern. I am supportive of the Bill but it could be wider. Whether the committee wants to go wider than the Bill, if it can do so, is another matter.