Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Regarding complaints to the Garda about the outrageous methods that were used against Irish Ferries workers in Irish ports, will the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform inform the Minister if there is an ongoing Garda investigation? The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, and the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, have contradictory views on reflagging. Did the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment turn down a request by Irish Ferries to reflag in the Bahamas? Cyprus is the new proposed flag state which is on the register of flags of convenience. It is incumbent that such reflagging is not allowed, regardless of the EU position.

If the Labour Party's mercantile marine Bill is introduced into the House, is it true the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, would vote against it while Fianna Fáil would support it? Is the Government split on this Bill? Would the Progressive Democrats leave Government on its introduction? Is this the actual crisis we are debating?

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