Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank all three Deputies. As Deputy Carey said, I am happy to repeat what we said in private session but first it is important that we get this legislation through quickly. This whole issue is about minimising risk, learning from previous accidents in order that we save lives, but time and speed are of importance. If we are not quick then we run the risk of not having a proper investigation process that could be required with real urgency. I am keen that we get this through the Dáil and the Seanad as soon as possible. As soon as the President's signature is dry on the parchment for a final Act, we will put in place the provisions of this very technical Bill to give us full complement and strength within the existing Marine Casualty Investigation Board and in doing that, comply with European law and regulations. That is the most important thing we need to do. Also, we agreed that we will publish, subject to legal sign-off. We have to follow legal advice. As the Clinch report was commissioned on the back of the Department's initiative, it is very much in our interest that it would be published and acted on. I am happy to commit here to doing exactly that. Central to that, as Deputies Carey, O'Rourke and Cathal Crowe and others have said, is that we look at a new structure and a new system, including the full-time independent investigation unit. What I said in private session is that we expect the publication of the Clinch report at the end of quarter 1 and that is still the timeline, subject to the Office of the Attorney General and others signing off on it. What I also said was that this year, we will develop and deliver that wider legislation. My intention is to go to Cabinet in the coming weeks on the First Stage process with the broad intent, the policy approach.