Seanad Report: The Leader of the House, Mrs O'Rourke, said she was sickened by the hypocrisy displayed by Mr Brian Hayes, FG Leader in the House, over the closing down of the Seanad next week.
Complaining about the closure, Mr Hayes asked why they were to have a mid-term break so soon after they had had a 14-week summer recess. The Government was turning the Seanad into a "doss house" he claimed.
Mr Derek McDowell (Labour) said he did not see any logic in shutting the House for a week.
Mrs O'Rourke countered that several opposition members had approached her and had asked if both Houses would be having a break. Some of them had said they hoped this would be the case.
"Hypocrisy just sickens me and we have had it in big, massive doses, this morning. Your own members didn't want to meet, so stop that crap," she told Mr Hayes.
Proposals would be submitted to Government as soon as possible for the establishment of a single agency with responsibility for all marine safety matters, said Mr John Browne, Minister of State for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Incidents such as that involving the Panamanian registered tanker, Princess Eva, in Donegal Bay last January served as a reminder of the vulnerability of our coastline and of the importance of adequate protection for the marine environment, he said.
Mr Browne was speaking on the Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which, he said, updated legislation on the protection of the marine environment through giving effect in law to several internationally agreed instruments.
A section of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1992, empowered the Minister to refuse to grant a licence to the owner of a passenger boat who had been convicted of an offence, Mr Browne told the House.
An amendment being proposed would enable the Minister to revoke any or all passenger boat licences held by an individual who had been guilty of an offence, even when the offence had occurred on another vessel.
Mr Michael Finucane (FG) referred to the Princess Eva episode and said it underlined the need to have a suitable type of tug available.
It had been interesting to hear that discussions were under way to explore such a vessel being made available jointly to the Irish and the British authorities.
Mr Brendan Kenneally (FF) said the global fisheries sector supplied the main source of protein for a billion people as well as being a major provider of livelihoods.
There was growing pressure on the marine environment, so it was vital that there be a more sustainable management of our seas and oceans.