James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for bringing forward this very important amendment to the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act. This is a common-sense amendment that should perhaps have been introduced before now to ensure that everybody on the MCIB has experience and knowledge of marine casualty investigations.

The family of John O'Brien is present in the Gallery. I come from a coastal county, Wexford. We have had our fair share of tragedies there and I know a lot of families who have suffered the loss of loved ones as a result of marine accidents. One of the key aspects of the amendment is that it is a means to an end, namely, to ensure the safety of people heading out to sea, that we learn from past mistakes that have caused the loss of lives and that the risk to life will be significantly reduced in the future. The loss of a loved one is harrowing for a family. My sister was killed in a road traffic accident so I know the consequences for families of losing a loved one.

It is essential that those in charge of investigating accidents at sea have experience of marine accident investigations. It should be a requirement of membership of the board. It is a requirement of board members of a similar board in the UK, so there is no reason for that not to be the case here as well. Those who have lost loved ones should be able to have the confidence that those investigating the deaths of their loved ones have the experience necessary to carry out a proper and competent investigation. If justice is to be done, it can only be done by those who have the necessary experience and knowledge.

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