Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Kingston to this pre-legislative scrutiny on this very important Bill. I recognise Mr. Kingston as an international expert in the field. I thank him for his interaction with the committee in recent weeks and for his submission today.

In the short time available to me I want to discuss two issues. The independence of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, is of critical importance. Perhaps Mr. Kingston will explain why. The other issue is the importance of having a special investigation unit within the curtilage of the MCIB. From an international perspective, is this what other jurisdictions do? Do they have a principal investigator and the different personnel around them? Is that the way it is in maritime affairs in other jurisdictions?