This is a Seanad Bill that has been amended by the Dáil. In accordance with Standing Order 82, it is deemed to have passed its First, Second and Third Stages in the Seanad and is placed on the Order Paper for Report Stage. On the question: "That the Bill be received for final consideration", the Minister may explain the purport of the amendments made by the Dáil and this is looked upon as the report of the Dáil amendments to the Seanad. The only matters, therefore, that may be discussed are the amendments made by the Dáil. For the convenience of Senators, I have arranged for the printing and circulation to them of those amendments.
Marine Institute Bill, 1989 [ Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil ]: Report and Final Stages.
Question proposed: "That the Bill be received for final consideration".
As Members are aware, they may speak only once on this question. I welcome the Minister to the House.
Limerick West): The Bill was initiated in the Seanad and then went to the Dáil. We accepted two amendments in the Dáil; both are to section 4. We are now taking Report Stage in the Seanad for the discussion and explanation of the two ministerial amendments that were agreed in the Dáil on Committee and on Report Stages. Both amendments relate to functions of the institute.
In section 4 (1), "after employment", we propose to insert the words "and protect the marine environment". Indeed, the amendment had been sought by Opposition Deputies. If my recollection is correct, I think they were also sought by Senators. During the debate the Minister agreed to include the amendment. Protecting the marine environment becomes one of the criteria underlying the institute's general function.
In section 4 (2) (f), after "co-ordinate", it is proposed to insert the words "and control". That is on page 4, subsection (2), line 21. I will explain the purposes of these amendments.
There is general agreement that in addition to promoting economic development and creating employment the institute should give priority to protecting the marine environment where relevant to marine research and development. Without the addition of this explicit reference, the Bill as drafted defined the institute's remit broadly enough to encompass concerns about the protection of the marine environment. However, in light of the expressed concerns about the general functions of the institute in the marine research and development sphere, it will now specifically refer to the protection of the marine environment. That refers to amendment No. 1.
The second amendment is designed to further enhance the role of the institute in the execution of their brief. The Government intend that the institute will have a lead role in relation to Exchequer and State-sponsored funding of proposals for marine research and development.
In their contributions to this debate last year, a number of Senators stressed the importance of co-ordination and control of marine research work and expertise to ensure value for money spent. I am in full agreement with the view that there is substantial potential for success of a national programme of marine research, particularly in the context of supporting initiatives from the European Community. This amendment illustrates and underpins the intention to provide for proper and appropriate powers and meaningful control over research and development proposals for the institute. The Bill, as drafted, and with the enhancement which this amendment represents, will ensure that there is effective control over proposals requiring funding. The amendment will ensure that we can get the best and the most authoritative input possible into such proposals.
Therefore, I commend the amendment to the House on the basis of what I have outlined. It is my hope that it will help to reassure Senators in relation to concerns expressed earlier.
Tá áthas orm bheith in ann beagáinín a chur leis an méid atá ráite agus atá déanta faoin mBille tábhachtach seo. Tá tábhacht ar leith ag Bille den chineál seo mar go mbaineann sé go mór le hiarthar na hÉireann. Baineann sé leis na contaetha uilig atá taobh leis an fharraige ó Dhún na nGall timpeall an chósta agus soir go Corcaigh. Tá sé fiorthábhachtach, mar sin, go mbeadh an-tuiscint go deo againn ar an Bhille. Nuair a bhí sé ag dul tríd an Teach seo cheana ba í an bharúil a bhí agam ná nach mbeadh mórán éifeachta leis an mBille seo mar nach bhfaca mé go mbeadh aon cheannáras as a mbeadh siad ag feidhmiú.
I do not want to interrupt the Senator, but I cannot get anything on the translation service.
I agree with the Senator. The service was guaranteed from 1 February. We find on this occasion that it is not available.
Perhaps it will take another year to have it working.
I have no control over it. I want to say that I agree with anybody who says translation was expected. This House is entitled to an explanation.
Last week I had occasion to draw attention to the same problem.
I regret that the situation is as it is.
Glacaim leis sin. Bíonn deacrachtaí beaga i gceist le rud á chur ag imeacht ar dtús. Ach chuir mise in iúl dóibh aréir go mbeinn ag caínt ar maidin, agus is deas an rud freisin é sin a rá leo lena chinntiú go mbeidh siad ann leis an rud a dhéanamh. Caíthfidh mé a rá go bhfuil an fhoireann ansin an-oibleagáideach agus go bhfuil siad ag déanamh a seacht ndícheall ach de bharr nach bhfuil dóthain fostaithe ansin, tá sé an-deacair acu seirbhís iomlán cheart a chur ar fáil.
Tá an leasú seo ag iarraidh go ndéanfaimis rud éigin praiticiúil chun an timpeallacht a chaomhnú. Nuair a bhí an reachtaíocht, an Environmental Protection Agency Bill, á phlé againn cúpla seachtain ó shin, dúirt mé gur cheap mé nach raibh truailliú na farraige faoí chaibidil ag aon duine, ag aon dream ná ag aon Acht agus go raibh faitíos orm, dála Bhille Foras na Mara agus an chinn eile, idir an dá cheann nach mbeadh aon chaomhnú ná aon socrú ceart ann le haghaidh chaomhnú na farraige. Is léir anois, de réir an méid atá curtha isteach, go bhfuil sé i gceist ag an mBille Foras na Mara go dtabharfaí aird ar leith ó thaobh truaillithe agus caomhnaithe de.
Sa chomhthéacs sin ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le Roinn na Mara as na ucht an staidéir a rinne siad agus ar foilsíodh an toradh de tuairim is seachtain ó shin. Tá an-léargas tugtha sa doiciméad sin ar an méid oibre atá curtha i gcrích le tamall anuas lena chinntiú go raibh céimeanna praiticiúla á dtógáil ag an Roinn le féachaint chuige nach mbeadh aon truailliú sna farraigí atá thart timpeall orainn. Anois, bhí sé sin tábhachtach i gcomhthéacs an ailt seo, mar chuir go leor daoine i leith Roinn na Mara nach raibh tada á dhéanamh acu agus nach raibh siad ag tabhairt aon chosaint in aghaidh truaillithe.
Léiríonn an doiciméad seo go han-soiléir go bhfuil rud praiticiúil déanta agus, níos tábhachtaí fós, cruthaíonn sé nach raibh aon ghá leis an méid cainte agus cur i gcéill a rinne go leor daoine a chuaigh ar bandwagons éagsúla mar gheall ar fheilmeoireacht éisc, truailliú na farraige agus chuile shórt eile. Cruthaíonn an doiciméad seo go bhfuil leas agus caomhnú na farraige i gceist ag Roinn na Mara agus léiríonn an toradh ar an tsuirbhéireacht agus ar an staidéar a rinneadh gur mar sin atá. Mar sin, tá sé tábhachtach go luafaí a leithéid anseo agus go mbeadh an leasú seo scríofa isteach sa Bhille. Aontaím go hiomlán leis an mbeartas seo.
Maidir leis an mBille seo cuireadh díomá orm nach bhfuil aon cheannáras cinnte ag an institiúid seo, ná daoine tarraingthe isteach acu in aon lárionad amháin le déileáil go proifisiúnta, go seasta agus go leanúnach le fadhbanna a bhaineann leis an bhfarraige ó thaobh truaillithe de agus dul chun cinn i gcoitinne. Mar shampla, tá áit lasmuigh de Brest sa Fhrainc ar thug mé cuairt air cúpla seachtain ó shin, agus a bhfuil ionad proifisiúnta do mhuintir na Fraince uilig ann. Tá tú in ann bualadh leis na daoine is mó le rá, daoine a bhfuil na dintiúir chearta acu, a bhfuil an t-eolas acu faoi chuile shórt a bhaineann leis an bhfarraige, cosaint in aghaidh truaillithe, caomhnú agus dul chun cinn na farraige ar chuile bhealach. Níl a leithéid againn sa tír seo agus sin é an locht is mó dá bhfuil agamsa in éadan an Bhille, mar Bhille mór iomlán i gcomhthéacs an ailt seo.
Má táimid ag cur isteach leasú beag mar seo, caithfidh foireann a bheith againn, an fhoireann cheart, agus socruithe cinnte bheith ann le go bhféadfadh foireann feidhmiú agus go mbeadh a fhios acu go dtabharfaí aird ar cibé moladh atá le déanamh acu agus cibé toradh atá ar a gcuid oibre. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an tAire in ann a insint dom cén bhaint a bheidh ag an mBille seo leis an Environmental Protection Agency nuair a bheidh an reachtaíocht socraithe. An bhfuil aon deighilt ann idir Foras nó Institiúid na Mara seo agus Acht chaomhnú na timpeallachta? An mbeidh siad ag obair as lámha a chéile? An mbeídh cuid den fhoireann a bheidh ag plé leis seo ag plé freisin le gnáth-thruailliú timpeallachta nó gnáthchosaint na mara? Chomh maith leis sin, cén socrú atá ann go mbeidh Bille na Mara ag teacht le Bille chaomhnú na timpeallachta a cuireadh tríd an Dáil le deireanas, agus an mbeidh an dá rud ag teacht le chéile?
Aon rud mar sin atá le cur i ngníomh, ní mór go mbeadh socruithe cinnte ann ó thaobh foirne de. Níl aon mhaith a rá go gcaithfear an fharraige a chaomhnú, caithfear foireann a bheith ann lena chur i gcrích. Sin an fhadhb atá againn anseo inniu. Chuireamar an-strus orainn féin anseo an córas aistriúcháin a chur isteach sa Teach seo. Anois tá sé againn ach níl aon fhoireann ann le dul ina bhun. Sin í an bhunfhadhb atá anseo ar maidin, níl aon fhoireann ann lena oibriú. Le hais seo arís, an bhfuilimid chun leasuithe a dhéanamh ar mhaithe le leasuithe le go mbeadh siad breactha síos sa leabhar?
Maidir leis an tseirbhís aistriúcháin, tá an fhoireann ann anois.
Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Is maith an rud go bhfuil me ar an aer anois. Tá foireann sheasta ag teastáil uathu siúd mar tá a ndóthain le déanamh ag an rannóg sin. Anois, i gcomhthéacs an cháis seo, tá mé ag rá an rud ceannann céanna agus tá faitíos orm nach gcuirfear foireann ar fáil. Tá a fhios agam ón eolas praiticiúil atá agam ar an bhfarraige agus an chaoi a bhfuil caomhnú na farraige agus na timpeallachta ag oibriú go gcaithfidh muid a bheith cinnte de go bhfuil foireann ar fáil, go bhfuil maoiniú ar fáil le go bhféadfaí é seo a ghníomhú. Thairis sin, tá mé lánsásta go bhfuil sé ann. Is cúnamh é agus rud ar bith a chuidíonn le jabanna a chur ar fáil in iarthar na hÉireann, caithfidh muid bheith buíoch de.
An focal atá curtha isteach ansin ó thaobh, mar a déarfá, control ar chaiteachas agus chuile rud den chineál sin, tá sé ceart é bheith ann arís. Ba cheart go mbeadh chuile shórt faoi smacht maidir le caiteachas agus go mbeadh daoine ann a bheadh in ann an fhreagracht a thógáil orthu féin. Caithfear bheith cinnte go bhfuil an Stát ag fáil luach a gcuid airgid sna cúrsaí sin. Mar sin, tá an dá leasú bheaga sin molta agus glacaim leo.
I welcome the fact that this Bill has reached Report Stage and also the fact that it is a Seanad Bill. The Bill will put in place a framework that will protect and develop marine life and the whole industry which is so important. In the amendment under section 4, subsection (1) the Minister is responding to a broad view that has been expressed in the other House and indeed by Members here. I compliment the Minister on his readiness to accept the recommendations that have been made here. It is very important to protect the environment so that marine life will survive. If any of us were unaware of the importance of the legislation and the provision for protection of marine life it was very forcibly brought home to us when we saw the destruction of marine life in the Gulf War. Most of us looked on those reports with horror. God forbid that we would ever have a situation that would affect our marine life to that extent. We have a lot to be grateful for. Therefore, it is right and proper to legislate for the protection of our environment and the whole area around our coast. It is so important for us and for future generations. It will be some time before the full value of the legislation can be truly seen. The amendment confirms that the Marine Institute will be the vehicle which will actually implement the technical developments and all of the important advances made in monitoring the environment and the development of marine life. Very few of us have a full and clear picture of the technology and advances and how important it is to monitor disease in fish at an early stage and to monitor trends on a worldwide basis. It is necessary to use all the technology available to protect the species at sea. The Marine Institute is the proper vehicle for this and I welcome the Minister's response in that regard. I welcome the amendments which the Minister has so readily accepted here.
I do not have anything more to add to my contribution when the Bill was being processed here in the Seanad. I welcome the amendments and I want to point out — perhaps I should have pointed it out on the Order of Business — that we took Second Stage of this Bill here as long ago as 13 December 1989. I was astonished when going through the files this morning to find out it was that long ago. On that occasion I said it was important that the passage of the Bill should be expedited because of the possibility of benefiting from various forms of Community funding once this institute was in place.
I want to point out this morning that this long interval of time is unacceptable. It is quite scandalous. It is a striking illustration of the snail-like pace of processing legislation and of the urgent need for parliamentary reform. Ironically, on the day we began Second Stage of this Bill we also debated Oireachtas reform; and I cannot think of any more forceful example of the need to reform our business here than the unacceptable pace of dealing with legislation. That apart, the Bill is now proceeding to its final stage and I hope the institute will be set up as quickly as possible.
I would like to thank the Minister for this important piece of legislation and to say how happy I am that we are now at Report Stage. The Minister's two amendments protect the marine environment. I think it is significant, whatever about Senator Murphy's remarks about long gaps between the different Stages of Bills, that here we are again this week with two pieces of legislation dealing with the environment, this Marine Institute Bill and the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, which is to come up again in a fortnight's time. That to me is surely progress.
There are worries and mixed feelings about fish farming. Senator Pól Ó Foighil made a reference to this and I am sure the Minister has met it also. It is, as Senator Paddy McGowan has just said, most important that we as legislators look after our seas. We have legislation going through, but will there be the finance to put the staff and the headquarters in place for this important legislation? Amendment No. 2 is to co-ordinate and control proposals. Maybe "control" is a strong word, but I understand what the Minister is trying to do.
I welcome this legislation. This is an island nation and we do not talk often enough about the importance of the seas around us to our people. I would worry also about a possible clash between the authority the Minister is now putting in place under this legislation and the Environmental Protection Agency. I already had reservations about that legislation, which I made quite clear at Second Stage.
I welcome this Bill and I thank the Minister and my colleagues for putting it through this House.
Limerick West): First, I would like to thank the Senators for their very worthwhile contributions. While many of the suggestions that were made now and previously do not form part of the legislation, nevertheless they will be of immense benefit both to the Minister, to myself and to my officials in ensuring that the Marine Institute will be the best possible organisation for research and development in the whole area in which it is intended to operate.
I want to allay the fears of Senators with regard to the relationship between the institute and the Environmental Protection Agency. I want to reiterate that the work of the institute on marine research and development will take full account, among other criteria, of the need to protect the marine environment. It is the view of my Department that the work of the institute will complement the work of the Environmental Protection Agency. I have no doubt that the two institutions will function in tandem. Indeed, I do not envisage any conflict between the statutory functions of these bodies. I want to allay the fears of Senators in that area.
I also want to state that with regard to fish farming my Department have just published a detailed account of the environmental impact to date of the most intensively fish farming areas in the State. It is known as the Gowan report and it indicates that this sector operates in harmony with its environment. I encourage Senators to read this report.
The question of the headquarters of the institute was also raised this morning. Again, I have indicated that the institute will not be an institute of bricks and mortar. They will have a very small headquarters with a chief executive but their work will be spread among many State agencies. The work of the institute is mainly to co-ordinate work which is being carried out in many areas independent of each other.
I want to thank Senators for their contributions. Together we have ensured that we have a Bill which is well worthwhile and which will ensure that research into this very important area of marine development will be the best possible. It will also ensure that funding will be made available both from the European Community and, indeed, from other agencies. I agree with Senators that it has taken far too long to go through the various stages but that is the situation. Now that we have completed the debate, I have no doubt we can ensure that we will have an institute for research into this very important area, because it will be important in the future, which will be the best possible.
In conclusion, may I take the opportunity of thanking my officials for the support, help and assistance they gave me to ensure the passage of this Bill.
Question put and agreed to.
Question: "That the Bill do now pass" put and agreed to.