Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 33:

In page 24, between lines 47 and 48, to insert the following:

"(2) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that any act consisting of lawful industrial action or lawful conduct in the course of trade union activity by a person on board a vessel shall not constitute an offence under this section or section 31.".

This relates to the prohibitions the Minister has made concerning anyone on board a vessel endangering a craft or taking reckless action under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In this amendment there is the provision for lawful and legal industrial action where workers and their trade union representatives are seeking to put their case strongly. Trade unions or leaders could enter a vessel and represent hard-pressed ferries. We have seen the recent example of Irish Ferries. I recall from the debate on Committee Stage the case of Cork-Swansea ferries. I did not want to endanger those rights and to avoid doubt I mentioned section 31.

As this is the last chance I will have I refer to the following amendment in the Minister of State's name. It seems to be directed against the scallop fishermen's protest and to try to create a situation where people in the fishing community could not legally protest.

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