Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

This amendment is needed to amend section 19 of the Bill as inserted on Committee Stage so that in general, the seaworthiness or otherwise of vessels may be determined by a surveyor of ships who is expert in such matters. An exception is provided for in the case of pleasure craft, however, where a member of the Garda Síochána or an authorised person could decide, without reference to a surveyor of ships, how such a craft could be made seaworthy and released from detention. If a person stops a vessel because it appears unseaworthy, it may be necessary to get the opinion of a surveyor in order to convince that person that the vessel is seaworthy.