Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Swanick on bringing this legislation before the House. I have a significant interest in this area having been a lifeguard for five years, employed by Waterford County Council. I am aware of the work done around the country by the voluntary bodies, such as Irish Water Safety, and the first responders and Waterford City River Rescue, among many others. Considerable effort and hours are devoted to this work. Those concerned are very conscientious in protecting life. At times, they put their own lives at risk in order to protect people who get into trouble in our rivers or seas.

I recognise the importance of there being consequences if someone damages life-saving equipment. There has to be a consequence. There are organisations that are spending time providing education in schools and advertising. Even in the cinemas this year, there were advertisements drawing attention to the importance of taking care of life-saving equipment.

What I particularly like about this legislation is section 2. It refers not only to lifebuoys but also to life preservers, throw rings, lifeboats, lines, ladders and safety harnesses. That is an extensive list and it has to be included. The use of the word "alter" is significant. It is not only the lifebuoys or life rings that can be thrown to the beach in a criminal act of disregard but also the ropes attached to them.

As someone who spends a lot of time walking the beach in Tramore, I very often find a lifebuoy has been thrown on it. I was talking earlier to a friend of mine, Mr. "Buddy" Cuddihy, who is on the executive of Irish Water Safety. He told me that although an individual or member of a voluntary group might find lifebuoys in place when walking the length of the beach at a certain time, they might be gone a few hours later. In the morning, all might be well and good but in the course of the day someone could vandalise a lifebuoy or throw it out on the tide line. Sure enough, the tide would come in and take it out to sea, meaning the equipment would not be in place in the event of a rescue.

Just last week, I was walking by the River Tolka in Dublin and saw a lifebuoy in the river. I contacted a friend who told me there is a website, lifebuoy.ie, on which one can notify those concerned. If anyone sees a lifebuoy thrown in the river, he or she can contact the authorities or notify them through the website rather than put his or her own life in danger by trying to retrieve it. In any case, there are ways to inform the authorities if one sees a piece of life-saving equipment that has been thrown around.

The legislation is more than timely. There have to be consequences. What would happen in the event of a minor discarding life-saving equipment?

There are so many voluntary groups around the coast, lakes and ponds and along the rivers who are giving of their time voluntarily to safeguard life and ensure equipment is in place. It is absolutely disgraceful that some chancer or someone with no respect for the equipment or life could vandalise that equipment. Therefore, there has to be a mechanism and a charge. The proposed legislation is to be welcomed. I support it entirely. My party, the Green Party, supports it, as does the Civil Engagement group. Once again, I compliment Senator Swanick and all the volunteers around the coast of Ireland who are giving of their time to protect people's lives.