Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State will be aware of the work of the Committee on Transport and Communications concerning the marine casualty investigation board following the Court of Justice of the European Union judgment against Ireland for failing to implement international maritime regulations, which came, incredibly, 41 years after the disaster's appalling regulatory framework failings. Over the past year our committee has heard compelling evidence from expert witnesses, including Mr. Michael Kingston, of fundamental ongoing shortcomings in maritime safety and adherence to international law.

To the credit of the Minister of State, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, a review was initiated at the request of the committee. This review has since been completed by Captain Steve Clinch and was submitted to the Department last July. The problem is that we have been here before. The 1998 report recommended international best practice and 11 years ago a barrister, Ms Roisin Lacey, completed similar work and presented draft legislation, yet this legislation was buried in the Department and the fundamental reforms that would have ensured a properly constituted independent and competent marine casualty investigation unit did not happen.

It is now 43 years since the Whiddy Island disaster. Despite 51 deaths, we cannot respect that and fix our regulations. Along with a State apology, to be agreed with the Whiddy Island families, there also needs to be an urgent root and branch review of Ireland's current failure to implement international maritime regulations to give these people due respect. Sadly, lives continue to be lost in maritime accidents in our State, including in my constituency, Clare, due to our failure to adhere to international law and ensure proper regulations are followed. Urgent change is required. We now have a chance to enact legislation on the back of the Clinch report to address our appalling shortcomings in this area which sadly continue to result in a needless loss of life.

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