A. INTRODUCTION

Ireland did not ratify, accede to, or adopt either of the Conventions of 1924 or 1957 relating to Limitation of Liability. By virtue of the Irish Constitutions of 1922 and 1937, British Acts which applied to Ireland before 1922 continued in force after that date until they were repealed. Consequently, prior to 6 February 1997, the law on Limitation of Shipowners and Others was that which was contained in the British Merchant Shipping Acts passed before 1922, as modified by the Adaptation of Enactments Act 1922. Indeed because of what were regarded by some as defects in that Adaptation of Enactments Act, the right of a shipowner to limit his liability was open to some doubt.