Vol. 16 No. 14
I move:—
Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £10,200 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1927, chun costaisí i dtaobh Longlainne Inis Sionnach.
That a sum not exceeding £10,200 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1927, for expenses in connection with Haulbowline Dockyard.
The net amount estimated is the same as that of last year. It provides for the maintenance of the dockyard in as economical a way as to keep the buildings, plant and machinery in good condition. It is considered desirable that that should be done in the hope that ultimately it might be possible to dispose of the property. So far, notwithstanding all our efforts, we have not succeeded in doing that.
I am sorry to hear from the Parliamentary Secretary that the efforts of the Government to dispose of this dockyard have not, so far, been successful. I would like to hear from him whether, within the past year or so, the Government have advertised this place, or whether they have made any serious attempts to dispose of it, or if they have invited any people to work it, or whether they are disposed to hand it over to some people who might take it on reasonable terms. After all, I do not think it is necessary to remind the Government that a very serious state of affairs exists locally. We have very serious trade depression, very serious unemployment for the last few years there, and the people of Cobh have been hopeful that some work might be found in this dockyard. I must say that we appreciate the present expenditure of £15,000 on the place, but it is not productive money. If the Parliamentary Secretary or the Minister for Industry and Commerce would visit the place and call together some local committee, it might, perhaps, be possible to work out some solution. Something, perhaps, in the nature of a technical school might be established there where young men or boys might be trained in some trades. Something like that might be evolved and this £15,000 might be usefully spent in that way. I think the serious economic conditions locally should warrant very early attention on the part of the Government. I notice that there are £5,000 rates on the place. That seems to me to be a very heavy rate. Possibly when some hundreds of thousands of pounds were spent there some years ago, the place was value for the rates on it at the time, but I do not think that if it were re-valued now the valuation would be so high. That item for rates is sufficient in itself to warn off any people from coming in there and taking the place when they see that heavy overhead charge of £5,000 for rates. I urge on the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister for Industry and Commerce that they would, if possible, visit this place during the Recess and see exactly what is there. I do not think that very many of our Ministers have seen this place at all. There is certainly very valuable machinery there, and it is in very good condition. It might be possible during the coming months to evolve some scheme of work there that would afford employment to the people of Cobh.
I would like the Parliamentary Secretary to make clear whether this sum voted for the maintenance is the total cost, or is it only portion of the cost? I think I am right in saying that it is only fifty per cent. of the cost.
It represents the total cost.
Does that mean the total cost to us in maintaining the place?
Yes, the total expenditure on the place. It is merely for maintenance.
Is there any portion of the cost of the upkeep of Haulbowline borne by the British Government?
Oh, no. With regard to Deputy Hennessy's question, I have to say that not alone did we advertise the place, but we also got in touch with various firms that we thought might possibly take over Haulbowline. Nothing so far has come of this. It is, however, possible that some of the firms with whom we were in communication may make an offer. It is not quite so long since we were in communication with one particular firm and, as far as we are concerned, we are doing everything to make some effective use of the place. Certainly I would be pleased if any Deputy or combination of Deputies would evolve a scheme that would be of assistance to us in making use of Haulbowline. We are fully aware of the value of the machinery that is there. I have not had an opportunity of seeing the place, but I know from information at my disposal in the office that there is very valuable machinery at Haulbowline. The real cause of the trouble that we had at Haulbowline is simply the slump in shipbuilding, a matter over which we have no control. That, as the Deputies know, is a matter that is felt all round in the shipbuilding industry at the moment, and there is very grave doubt that until there is a revival in that particular trade there will be a possibility of doing anything with Haulbowline.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary go into the question of the establishment of a technical school there?
The idea of converting a dockyard into a technical school does not seem quite feasible at first sight.
I might be wrong in suggesting a technical school—suppose I call it a training school where some young men and boys might be called in and trained in some useful industry? I think it would be quite possible that the Minister would think it over.
