Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The third group consists of amendments Nos. 29, 31 to 36, inclusive, 43, 45, 54, 57, 65 and 71 to 73, inclusive, which relate to boats that are less than 15m. in length. These are the boats in respect of which a licence offer was made after 1 May 2004. These amendments fill major gaps in the law or strengthen existing provisions in the Bill as passed by Seanad Éireann or other Acts.

They include requirements for the weighing of certain goods vehicles before loading onto ships and provide for the outlawing of conduct endangering vessels, drunkenness of passengers and crew and unlawful interference with vessels. Amendment No. 54 refers to the nautical publications to be carried on board vessels while amendment No. 56 deals with access to and from ports and harbours. Amendment No. 57 empowers the Minister or other authorised persons to direct that vessels be moved in the interests of safety at sea. Suspensions or cancellations of the certificate of competency of the master or other crew members of a vessel not propelled by oars, on conviction of an offence under Part 3, are dealt with in amendment No. 65.