Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Our hands are tied until the Bill is enacted, which is all the more reason for me to take responsibility and co-operate with Senators to get the Bill through this House and on to the Dáil so that it can be enacted as quickly as possible. It is possible that accidents will occur between this and the date of enforcement.

The legislation is rigorous. Suspicion is a more than sufficient basis on which to arrest a person responsible. I would like to consider whether I could tighten this provision between now and Report Stage. If I feel I could introduce an amendment to strengthen this provision I would be happy to do so. Members of both Houses are anxious that all measures be taken.

I hope what I am about to say does not fall on deaf ears. I remind all those going to sea and those responsible for a vessel or its navigation that they have a personal responsibility. While it is not statutory, they have a moral obligation. From what the Senator has said, I take it he has some experience. We want to send out the clear message that as soon as the legislation is enacted we will try to deal with these occurrences. It is sad to think that some people are so irresponsible that they consume alcohol and then navigate a boat on our waterways or our seas. We can only legislate and establish a framework. However, if people are totally irresponsible it makes it more difficult to apprehend them. We certainly will attempt to do so and the rigours of the law should be taken into consideration. These people should be arrested and then it will become a matter for the courts to decide their fate.