Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept this amendment. We have been advised by the Office of the Attorney General that section 19(3) of the Bill is necessary as worded because of the problems which have arisen in court, where the 48 hour detention of a sea-fishing boat expires during a sitting of the District Court. While the matter might be mentioned to the judge, the formal application for an extension of the detention may not have been made to him or her. This is required to comply with the advice of the Attorney General.