Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Group 1 refers to amendments Nos. 1 and 2. I will begin by saying some words on each of them.

The objective of section 9 is to provide for the establishment of a new register of ships, which will consist of different parts for the registration of different types of ships, and also to allow registration to take place for different purposes. Section 9(9) confirms that registration on the register may be granted for an initial period of up to five years with subsequent renewal periods for up to ten years each in duration. They may be subject to ongoing compliance with registration requirements or conditions attached to registration as provided for in section 18(10) of the Bill.

The first amendment, amendment No. 1, is a technical amendment. It corrects a section cross-reference in section 9(9) by replacing the reference to “section 18(8)” with a reference to “section 18(10)”. The change there is to change a subsection from (8) to (10).

Amendment No. 2 relates to section 9(10) of the Bill. This was prepared for the purpose of making regulations in relation to the access to the register, as well as fees for such access. The provision was drafted with a view to providing as much possibility as possible in respect of such access, given the move to a new central and electronic register of ships which will be addressed in a separate IT project. The principle of access and continued access to the Irish register of ships has been clearly stated since the outset of the development of the Bill and there is no proposal to change the level of public access. This Bill, with the amendments that are there at present, looks to maintain public access as it stands.

I made clear in the Dáil, where I was responsible for the Bill on that Stage, that it is my intention to make this register as visible and open as possible. I have to recognise, however, that there are certain limitations and needs that may arise in terms of commercial sensitivity or private or secure information. The mechanics or process of obtaining such access or information may change as we move to an electronic working environment and a single centralised register. In response to points that were made by colleagues in the Dáil, this amendment aims to make the intent of public access more explicit. I am looking to make clear that my objective is that this Bill should be public and accessible insofar as is possible. Accordingly, amendment No. 2 substitutes subsection (10) to provide that a person will have access to the register in accordance with the access regulations that will be made under section 9(10) of the Bill.