Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

This relates to a new section 33 and is designed to replace section 37 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1992 by providing for recoupment of the Minister's costs in connection with the successful prosecution of persons for any offence under Part 3 of the Bill and not only offences under sections 20 and 21, which replace sections 35 and 36 of the 1992 Act and to which section 37 of that Act applies. Entitling a Minister to recoup such costs is clearly appropriate.