Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State. I have welcomed the Bill from the outset. However, it requires amendment. Where I come from in the midlands there is major concern about jet skis among people who use the inland waterways. I understand why the Minister has exempted Waterways Ireland from the provisions of the Bill. Control of our waterways must be put into the hands of local authorities. People who own jet skis must be registered, whether they use them at sea, on lakes or on rivers.

Senator Dardis commented on the problems of shallow water in lakes. He is correct. The people using jet skis are not too concerned about where they use them. They are out to speed on them. One would think they were out to annoy anyone using the waterways, tourists in pleasure boats, fishermen or children bathing. Jet skis are causing major problems.

Many people use jet skis without life jackets or helmets. The speed of jet skis is also a problem. Are there any controls on the horsepower of jet skis? They are often driven at very dangerous speeds, sometimes where there are boats moving in and out of marinas or where there are bridges. It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.

The Bill addresses an area in need of legislation. However, the problems in the waterways under the remit of Waterways Ireland, which includes the River Shannon and all its tributaries, have been raised on numerous occasions on the Order of Business by Senator Glynn and others. I thought this Bill would address those problems. However, having examined the Bill, I believe the Minister might have to rethink it in order to address the real concerns of the people who use inland waterways. On the coast where there are larger expanses of water jet skis may not be so dangerous.

We want people to enjoy the facilities we have at our disposal. However, they must be used in an organised and careful way. Previous speakers have asked whether jet ski users have any training, whether they need a licence or whether anyone can head off on a jet ski and drive at whatever speed they like. There is major concern, which has been expressed by many Senators, but we have a caring Minister who will take on board the views that have been expressed by the Members and will modify the Bill to impose controls, even if that means introducing rules or regulations to empower local authorities. The Garda Síochána has a boat on the inland waterways in the midlands. However, it has no power to do anything about people who speed and cause a nuisance on the waterways. We must give the Garda power to control what happens on the waterways in the midland region, particularly in the Shannon catchment.

I welcome the legislation. It is high time it was introduced. I compliment the Minister on introducing it. I hope it will be modified to enable people to enjoy themselves on our waterways in a safer environment.