Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Is everybody happy? I thank all Deputies for their contributions this evening. I know their hearts are in the right place. I thank the House for facilitating Report and Final Stages today.

The important thing is that this Bill is to enhance the safety regime and bring accident investigation in line with international best practice and standards. We also need to regulate offshore service vessels because they are required if we are to take full advantage of offshore wind energy.

We have made progress towards achieving two important policy objectives with this Bill. As I said, this Bill is about enhancing our maritime safety regime and marine accident investigation. It also provides for the necessary regulation-making power to cater for the vessels being used in the offshore service sector and the carriage of industrial personnel on those vessels.

I thank the MCIB, its board, investigators and staff members for their ongoing work. The new unit will build on the important contribution they have made. I again thank Deputies for their contributions. I look forward to the Bill being referred to the Seanad for its next Stages.

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