Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

These amendments have been discussed in the Dáil and most found a general acceptance. The main concern of Members of my party when the Bill was debated in this House was that the enforcement of these laws will require substantial resources in terms of co-ordinating efforts between the Garda, harbour authorities and county councils. The latter may introduce by-laws and so on in this area. I wish to put on the record that we chose not to table a number of amendments during previous Stages of the Bill because their financial implications meant we did not believe they would be accepted.

Fine Gael does not have a problem with the second group of amendments. However, I draw the Minister of State's attention to the financial implications of all the regulations that are being introduced. How will this be financed and what commitment will be given by the Department of Finance in this regard?