Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to deal with the various issues raised in the course of today's debate. Senator O'Toole suggested that there may be a barrier to harbour companies appointing harbour masters as authorised officers. It is, of course, a matter for the harbour companies to appoint the authorised officers, but I would expect the first person appointed would be the harbour master. I will examine this again, as the Senator has requested, but this matter was also raised on Committee Stage and I expressed the view that harbour or port companies would almost certainly appoint the harbour master automatically.

Senator O'Toole raised several other issues during the Committee Stage debate, as did a number of other Senators. I have been in communication with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding eco-friendly detergents, refuse containers at landing sites and Met Éireann using local sea area weather forecasts. I understand a reply arrived just as I left my office. If I am unhappy with that reply, I will pursue these matters further with the Minister.

Senator McHugh referred to the fact that there is no register for jet skis and that one can go to any pier and launch a jet ski. It was the same many years ago with cars on the roads, before licensing was introduced. We must make progress on this issue.

The marine safety directorate of my Department is involved in registering boats and has issued thousands of licences for potting purposes. It is currently developing a registration system to enhance the safety of recreational craft. That system will be known as the small vessel register, SVR. The intention is to design a system for recreational craft and small commercial vessels. Owners of the latter vessels have difficulties registering under the provisions of the Mercantile Marine Act 1955, which is primarily aimed at larger commercial vessels.

I agree with the point made by Senator McHugh that while we do not want to be kill-joys, we also have a responsibility to protect the lives of those using recreational craft and those who may come into contact with them. I am anxious to progress this issue further, while taking into consideration the practical difficulties and the pressure on the officials in my Department.

It was clear during the course of the debate on Second, Committee and Report Stages that this House has had an important input into the Bill. Where appropriate, I have taken on board proposals made by Senators, which have improved the Bill. I thank all of the Senators for their contributions. I am committed to ensuring that the Bill is fully and effectively implemented and water safety will remain a priority on my agenda.

In addition to thanking the Senators and those who took a particular interest in this Bill, I thank the Parliamentary Counsel, Jack Hazlett, and his colleagues in the Office of the Attorney General for all of their work in bringing the Bill to a successful conclusion in this House. I also thank the officials in my Department for their hard work and advice during the passage of the Bill through the House. We now have a Bill that should quickly yield results, such as greater safety and greater public enjoyment of the national assets we have in our rivers, lakes and around our coast. I remind those who use recreational craft of their responsibility to themselves and others. They also have a responsibility to those involved in saving lives. These people put their own lives at risk to save others. I thank the coastguard, including those who work with us in the Department and particularly those who give their time in a voluntary capacity. I hope to ensure this Bill will be enacted before the summer recess.