Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The issues raised by Deputy Perry were addressed to some extent by the Taoiseach yesterday. He is correct that there has been substantial investment by the State in terms of training seafarers and other matters. It is reasonable to say this action was flagged by previous events in regard to the MV Normandy. However, we do not serve anybody's interests by pretending we have control over issues when this is not the case. We do not have control over situations where vessels are flying flags of convenience. This is a weakness which may need to be addressed at European or even international level and it makes tackling this issue somewhat difficult in some of its aspects.

The exemptions Deputy Perry mentioned and the other tax breaks were introduced before my time and I cannot account for what has happened in the past. I face a major challenge in trying to ensure what we do in the present and in the future addresses what is an outrageous attack on Irish workers.

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