With regard to the amendments proposed by the Labour Party, section 18, to be inserted by amendment No. 33, enables the Minister to make rules and regulations to prescribe the requirements for Irish chemical tankers, including survey requirements. The Minister has no power to prescribe survey requirements, as proposed by Deputy Broughan, in respect of all ships travelling and berthed in Irish waters. Other ships must be surveyed and given certification in their own state and our surveyors of ships can board and inspect any of these ships when berthed in an Irish port to check for certification and compliance. Ships that are not compliant may be detained until the matters are rectified. The point being made by the Deputy in his first amendment to amendment No. 33 is covered in the legislation as it stands.

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