Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I thank the Department's officials for sending me a briefing note on the Bill. This is a composite measure to implement international conventions and protocols, which is why it is described as a miscellaneous provisions Bill. We have been discussing pollution at sea a great deal lately, particularly oil pollution. This Bill is part of a cohesive package to deal with that area.

The Minister of State mentioned the banning of TBT, the chemical used on the hulls of vessels, and said that it would apply to 25% of the world's tonnage. The European Union is good at legislating on these matters and operates as a single entity. However, many ships operate under flags of convenience. The protocols, conventions and so forth will affect 25% of ships but what will happen with the other 75%? Has the International Maritime Organisation looked at this in the context of non-EU countries and shipping companies? This is obviously effective in the European context but if we want to protect the marine environment it must be implemented on a 100% basis or it will not be successful. Does the International Maritime Organisation look at the global situation and seek to apply it to the other 75% of shipping?