Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 11, line 2, after €100,000" to insert the following:

"or ten percent of annual turnover whichever is the greater".

These amendments were also discussed on Committee Stage at which time I stated my belief that the fine of €100,000 was perhaps too restrictive for the State and should be considered in the context of the development of modern regulation. The Minister may recall my discussion with him when Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in relation to how UK regulators in communications have the remit to fine an errant type communications up to 10% of turnover. I believe the same approach should be adopted in regard to marine companies. We should be able to hit them hard if they break the construction or carriage rules which run throughout this Bill. It should be possible for regulators to impose a serious fine through the courts system. We all remain devastated having heard yesterday's reports from the Minister for Finance, as is the public. The nub of that issue was the total and abysmal failure of regulation on one level and the non-existence of regulatory powers. We should try to remedy this for the future. In this case, in terms of misbehaviour in the marine industry, we should go for 10% of turnover of companies that seriously misbehave. I urge the Minister to accept these amendments.

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