Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The amendments in group 19 relate to wireless telegraphy matters. Amendment No. 281, as advised by Parliamentary Counsel, creates two collective citations which allow for the referencing in the Bill and in future legislation, in a single phrase, of (a) wireless telegraphy legislation and (b) broadcasting offences legislation. Amendments Nos. 227, 234 to 236, inclusive, 238 and 240 to 242, inclusive, then apply that collective referencing throughout the Bill.

Amendment No. 283 is intended to facilitate a joint request from ComReg and the Department of Transport to amend section 2 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, as amended by the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007, to clarify the respective roles of ComReg and the Minister for Transport with regard to the regulation of shore-based wireless telegraphy apparatus associated with marine safety. In essence, the amendment clarifies that any shore-based apparatus is to be licensed by ComReg.

Amendments Nos. 290 and 297 amend and restate section 9 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, which permits the Minister for Transport, as the appropriate authority, to regulate maritime radio licences and maritime radio operators engaged on ships registered in the State. These amendments expand the regulatory provision to cover all vessels operating in Irish waters, registered ships and vessels, and those vessels navigating or operating within Irish waters.

In addition, amendment No. 297 updates the penalties for breach of regulations made under section 9. These amendments are required to satisfy Ireland's international obligations to provide maritime safety navigational services, marine emergency search and rescue response and marine pollution prevention functions. Amendments Nos. 290 and 297 also address a request received from ComReg to amend section 8 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 in respect of the legal position on the return of apparatus for wireless telegraphy seized by ComReg in the course of its duties. Amendment No. 297 restates and revises sections 5 to 9 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, as amended. Parliamentary Counsel has advised that these sections should be restated rather than amended piecemeal for statute law revision purposes. The Broadcasting Bill has provided an early opportunity to amend these aspects of wireless telegraphy legislation.