James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, for bringing forward this very important legislation, the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill, and compliment him on really hitting the ground running since his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Transport and bringing forward some really important legislation and reform and doing Kildare North very proud. I come from a marine county, County Wexford, where we have a very proud history and heritage in the seafaring world. We have many commemorations, such as the Rosslare Burrow Lifeboat Memorial, which I attend every year. It is a very poignant ceremony to mark the heroic rescue by the Coast Guard, from the Keeragh rocks, in February 1914, of the crew of the Norwegian schooner Mexico as well as the survivors of the Fethard lifeboat, the Helen Blake. It is just one example of the many memorials right across our country, including County Wexford, to those who lost their lives, those who took huge risks to rescue and save people. It is an extraordinary thing to do.

This Government is very proud of the work it has done in the marine area during its lifetime. In addition, for example, we established the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority to regulate licences and consents off the shores of Ireland. That too is based in County Wexford. There is also almost €250 million in investment going into Rosslare Europort, which will act as an economic driver, and the development of offshore renewable energy. All this is very important to ensure, as regards those who use our seas, our maritime area, our marine area, that there is a proper and effective marine investigative unit and having the marine accident investigation unit.

I compliment my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, on his work to date and acknowledge generally the good work that has been done right across the Government for our maritime area, recognising the importance of that, including in the environmental area. Some 90% of all heat capture is in our seas, and we have to remember that. As an expert in the area once said to me, you cannot divide a sea up the way you can fields or to say you can do this in this area and that in that area. It is all so intertwined and affects greatly everything we do.

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