Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Dooley for letting me speak first. I thank the Minister for his engagement at committee level. I also thank him for his contribution and its overarching philosophy. I welcome what we are trying to do in this legislation. The review of marine casualty investigation, the Clinch report, is critical to that. I thank him for his contribution in that regard.

Any marine casualty is about a person, his or her family and the consequences and devastation arising from the loss of life and, in some cases, life-changing injuries. Tonight is a very important night. I thank Mr. Michael Kingston for his engagement with the committee. Senator Dooley is also with us this evening.

This may be a technical Bill but it is about fundamental reform. The Minister’s contribution on the Clinch report is welcome. I hope the report will be published and the Government will respond to it with full and comprehensive change. The most important contribution we can make is to present a roadmap for best practice internationally. I have no doubt, given the Minister’s sincerity in everything that he does, that he will show that same sincerity in this case.

My final point, mar fhocal scoir, is that the Clinch report is pivotal.Today is a beginning and a first step in that regard. The Minister has consulted with the Attorney General regarding the report and he is committed to its publication to give us a roadmap for the future. I am heartened by the Minister's contribution and I commend the Bill to the House. I look forward to us coming back again to ensure that we strengthen the MCIB and ascertain that it is focused on the people involved in marine casualty situations and their families. I thank the Minister for this debate.