I move amendment No. 1:
In page 5, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following:
"9. The Commissioners shall not have power under this Act to provide maritime navigational assistance to the military vessels or aircraft of a state, or an organisation of states, which is participating in a war or engaged in any other form of armed aggression unless the assent of Dáil Éireann has first been obtained."
Given people's concerns about neutrality and the context of this Bill, it is important that we differentiate between those States participating in a war and those engaged in other forms of armed aggression. I withdrew other amendments because I agreed with the Minister about the responsibilities of the Commissioners of Irish Lights or anyone involved in search and rescue operations during peacetime. All our facilities should be made available to anyone in difficulty. We are differentiating between that aspect of the Bill and inclusion of a specific reference to those engaged in war.
In the Gulf War, after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, a United Nations mission stopped over in Shannon but the Houses of the Oireachtas had to be brought back to give sanction to that operation, which it did by an overwhelming majority. However, people are still concerned about our neutrality, especially during war, which is why this amendment is now proposed. Our people cherish neutrality and they should be able to have confidence in it.
Other Senators may argue that the amendment puts ordinary seafarers at risk but it does not. In normal times when there is no war, the facilities of the State are available to save people. The amendment refers to countries participating in war and it would go against the wishes of the people to make the facilities of the State available in such cases, unless the consent of Dáil Éireann is granted.