Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

However, once the vessels re-flag in Cyprus it is clear, as a matter of international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, that the terms and conditions of the employed seafarers on such vessels is to be decided exclusively by the flag state, which in this case will be Cyprus. Moreover, it is crystal clear that the State cannot prevent a re-flagging that occurs as an integral part of exercising a right of establishment in another member state.

The Government has been advised that the attempt to do so through the terms of the Bill tabled by the Labour Party would be completely ineffectual and legally unsustainable.

See this speech in context