John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I hope we always listen to Senators and their suggestions and ideas. We do not have the monopoly on what constitutes the best legislation. Until now, where an individual holds a licence or certificate for more than one vessel and has been found guilty of an offence in respect of any, the Minister cannot revoke the licence and-or certificate for any remaining vessels the individual may possess. Under the amendment put forward by Senator Tuffy, which we have taken on board, the Minister will now have powers to revoke the licence but can only do so in regard to ships operating from Irish ports and within Irish waters. Irish vessels are licensed and certified to operate in Irish waters but we do not have the power to revoke licences of those operating outside Irish waters.

Amendment agreed to.