Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

These amendments do not represent a major departure. When fire authorities and local authorities issue licences, the licensees have this responsibility. This legislation allows for port authorities to issue licences. If they are issuing licences to third parties, why should they have this responsibility for insurance purposes? It is basically the same set of circumstances. The Department of Transport has no difficulty with this proposal. Similarly, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has no objection to the nature of this proposal. As things stand, the chief executive of a port company is responsible in circumstances like those which have been mentioned. The measure under discussion will ensure that the port companies will have immunity from suit. We are not ring-fencing this proposal in a manner that ensures it applies to port companies only. Other companies which issue licences, such as local authorities and fire services, do not have legal responsibility of this nature. It is precisely the same principle.

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