Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

This new section 27 authorises the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to prepare and publish safety codes and to revise or revoke them as necessary following public consultation. Subsections (1) to (4) require the Minister to publish a notice in Iris Oifigiúil about any safety codes published or amended, while subsection (5) requires a similar notice for any revocations. This is a standard requirement for public notification of statutory documents. Subsection (6) requires the availability of all current safety codes for inspection on the Department's website and principal office and other suitable locations. Subsection (7) obliges persons in charge of or crewing vessels to be aware of and follow any current safety codes relating to their vessels.