James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair for his prompt and efficient management of the amendments today. I thank all the Deputies present for their participation also.

This Bill is about enhancing our maritime safety regime, in particular in respect of the marine accident and investigation landscape. It also helps us achieve our commitment towards carbon neutrality and the target we have set to achieve that by 2050, by providing for the necessary regulation-making power to cater for the vessels being used in the offshore service sector and the carriage of industrial personnel on these vessels.

We have heard about the Merchant Shipping Acts, which date back to the 1890s. We have a very modern, forward-looking piece of legislation here, which deals with the offshore service vessel industry and how we support that. I compliment the Department on bringing the Bill together. It is a very strong piece of legislation which makes good use of the time and the platform available to consolidate previous Acts.

As I said at the outset, I am keen to bring the Bill to Report Stage as soon as possible so that progress can be made in these important policy objectives. I hope to do that the week after we return from the recess, but that is subject to the Whips and all the usual constraints. When we get to Report Stage, I intend to amend amendment No. 3 further to clarify that safety investigation records will be inadmissible as evidence in any proceedings, not only in criminal law but also in civil law, so that a chilling effect does not apply to someone participating in an inquiry.

I thank the committee and the Chair and his team for having us here today. I thank members for their consideration of the Bill.