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

As this is the final stage of the Bill, I thank all the Senators for their participation in the debate up to this point. This marks a very important development in the maritime sector as to how we ensure safety, regulate it and ensure growth in our maritime sector.

This was brought home to me at a recent meeting I had with a company that has a significant presence in Ireland and employs a number of Irish people and is looking to employ more people in the maritime sector. It raised with me the need to strengthen the regulation by introducing a register of ships that is more comprehensive, accessible and has different parts within it that relate to different types of vessels that are registered in Ireland. This is what the Bill seeks to do.

A theme that has characterised the debate up to this point, has been the issue of public access. I refer to an amendment I tabled in the Seanad, making my intent clear that the register should be as public as possible and that as many people as possible should have the ability to access it.

I thank everybody for their input. I acknowledge in particular the work of my officials who have put a great deal of effort into the Bill. I believe the Bill will make a difference to what matters, the implementation of Irish maritime law and regulation.