Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I admire any individual Member who tables his or her own Bill. The Irish ship registration legislation is essentially the Mercantile Marine Act 1955. It is being reviewed and a public consultation process is under way. The details of the process are available on a website.

I remind the House and Deputy Broughan in particular that the closing date for submissions is 16 December. The content of the Labour Party Bill can be considered in the review process. If Deputy Broughan and his party meanwhile wish to bring the Bill before the House in Private Members' time, we would not oppose it on Second Stage.

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