Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I want to clarify the points raised by Deputy Broughan, who has genuine concerns. The reason all countries must be responsible for their own vessels is that we do not have the facilities to examine all the fleets around the world. I accept the point of the Deputy that some flags are somewhat dubious but the legislation is as set out because we do not have the manpower or other facilities to ensure every fleet around the world is in compliance. We are proposing here that chemical tankers which come into our waters should be safe. We have the right to go on board and inspect and we have the right if there is anything wrong to detain a vessel when it is in Irish waters. This is why that distinction is being made. I take the point the Deputy is making, but the best safeguard is that our scare resources would be used to look after affairs within Irish ports and in our own area.

The second point deserves some clarification as well in terms of why we are including "double hull" in the regulation rather than defining this in regulation. It is fairly simple and straightforward. We do not want to introduce primary legislation if, for instance, the rules and regulations were changed and it was a case of a triple hull or a different design or specification being inserted. In the event it is better to deal with that by way of regulation rather than primary legislation, so it is a matter of efficiency in that regard.

See this speech in context