Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Two years or three years ago, we passed legislation insisting that those who drive motor boats on our internal waters or on the sea have certificates of competency, but the statutory instrument has not been introduced. I am not sure why this is the case, but I understand that a number of courses issue the certificate in Ireland because a similar law is being enforced in France. People who want to holiday and drive motor boats in France must get certificates of competency in Ireland beforehand.

Why have we not introduced the statutory instrument? We could do something about the number of deaths each year on our internal waters and seas. We passed the legislation, but it is not being enforced. There is a possibility that the tourism industry believes it would be damaged by enforcement, but why do we pass legislation if we will not enforce it? The legislation should be enforced despite the danger to the tourism industry.

Senator Browne asked for a debate on the ten years since the divorce referendum, particularly regarding Senator Norris's point about guardian ad litem. I read the article in yesterday's The Irish Times. When we passed the legislation, we did not realise that it may entail asking three year old children whether they want to go with their mommies or daddies. If that is the case, it was not our intention.