Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for attending in order to assist us with our scrutiny of the legislation. We discussed the legislation with witnesses at an earlier session. I will confine my questions to the legislation before us. I asked the witnesses if they agreed that this legislation addresses the European Court of Justice's ruling or decision and if it would give the MCIB the independence it requires in terms of composition and they were broadly in agreement with that. I also put the point in the Minister's statement to them that this Bill is not the final step in the process of reviewing marine investigations but the witnesses were of the opinion that we do not need another review and that further investigation is not required. They pointed out that a report was produced in 1998 and the recommendations therein would still stand. They argued that any review should be based on that report. I made a commitment to the witnesses that I would recommend to the Minister that his Department look at that report.

We discussed the issue of an accident investigation unit and the requirement for a separation between those who investigate and those who regulate. We already have a railway accident investigation unit and an air accident investigation unit. It makes sense, therefore, to consider setting up a marine accident investigation unit. Part of the remit of such investigation units is to consider near misses. When we consider near misses, we can often look at structures or process that can prevent accidents. That is an important part of any investigation unit. One hopes that these units are never busy but one likes to know that they exist.