asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the contract for the overhauling and repair of the ss. "Helga" (Fisheries steamer) has been given to Belfast; also whether he is aware that the ss. "Tearaght," belonging to the Irish Lights Commissioners, as well as one of the lightships, is also being sent to Belfast for overhauling; and whether he will explain the reason why this work is being done outside the jurisdiction of the Saorstát.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - CONTRACTS FOR SHIPPING REPAIRS.
The first portion of the question has been referred to the Minister for Finance, who has asked me to read the following reply:—"Tenders for the overhauling of the "Helga" were invited on a competitive basis, and were received from firms both within and outside the area of Saorstát Eireann. The contract was ordered by the Government to be placed with the Belfast firm in view of the marked difference both in price and period of completion between their tender and the others submitted."
Might I ask if Haulbowline Dockyard was given an opportunity of stating whether or not the work could be done there?
I understand it was.
With regard to the ss. "Tearaght," I am informed by the Irish Lights Commissioners that the lowest tender received was accepted. This tender was less than the lowest tender put in by any firm in the Saorstát by more than 60 per cent.
Arising out of the answer given by the Assistant Minister, do I understand that Haulbowline Dockyard was given an opportunity to repair the "Helga," and could not do it?
A tender was received from Haulbowline for the work.
Does the Minister take into account the fact that wages in Belfast are very much lower than in other parts of Ireland, and is he prepared to give Government contracts to any firm no matter what may be the wages paid by them anywhere?
All the facts were taken into consideration when the figures were being considered.
Was the Government policy announced in this matter to the people who decided where the contract should go?
Has the Minister taken into consideration, when giving this contract to a Belfast firm, that probably that very firm was responsible for throwing hundreds of shipyard workers out of employment, and that it would be a reasonable return to employ some of those people in Haulbowline to do that particular work?
Surely Haulbowline Dockyard could compete with Belfast or any other outside firm in this matter?
That is not a supplementary question.
I think I have already answered these questions by saying that all the facts were taken into consideration when the tenders were being considered.
Can you state whether the shipyard firm to whom this contract was given did not throw any men out of employment during the Pogrom period?
I cannot state anything as to that.
Is the Minister satisfied that the provisions of the Fair Wage Resolution will be observed in this contract?
We were satisfied on that point.
Will the Minister give us the figures of the different tenders?
I think any member of the Dáil can see those figures and it is not to the benefit of Irish industry that they should be given out here to-day.
Can the Minister state the relative wages paid in the two places?