28 Jan 2021, 17:46
The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications Networks will meet tomorrow when it hears from two witnesses regarding the Merchant Shipping Bill.
The meeting at 1pm in Committee Room 4 will hear from an interested citizen, Mr. Michael Kingston, and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, TD.
Speaking in advance of the meeting, Committee Chair Kieran O’Donnell, TD, said: “To summarise, the changes will address concerns about the Board membership, specifically member independence, impartiality and competency (appropriate knowledge, qualifications or experience) relating to marine and maritime safety.”
The Bill proposes to amend the Act of 2000 to require the Minister or Secretary General, as the case may be, to have regard to the desirability of persons so appointed, reappointed or nominated having appropriate knowledge, qualifications or experience in matters connected to the functions of the Board. The Bill also addresses required skillsets, tenure, declaration of interests, confidentiality, appointments of third parties, protocols for marine casualty notifications and reporting requirements by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.
Tomorrow’s meeting will be streamed live on Oireachtas TV. For more information about the work of the Committee on Transport and Communications Networks, see the Committee webpage