Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Jun 1927

Vol. 20 No. 3

IN COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - VOTE 59—MARINE SERVICE.

The PRESIDENT

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £4,142 chun slánuithe ná suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar crioch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1928, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí na Muir-Shcirbhíse (Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894-1921; Crown Lands Acts, 1829-1866).

That a sum not exceeding £4,142 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, 1928, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Marine Service (Merchant Shipping Acts. 1894-1921; Crown Lands Acts, 1829-1866).

Mr. McGILLIGAN

There is no change in the headings of this Vote from last year. All the sub-headings show decreases. Where explanations are required, they are definitely given under the letters relating to the subheads. There has been a small increase in the total for the Mercantile Marine Office, but that is set-off by a decrease in the Survey Services. The increase with regard to the Mercantile Marine Office is due to the fact that the Cork Mercantile Marine Office was transferred from a building occupied by the Customs and Excise Department to a building occupied by the Department of Industry and Commerce. Travelling and incidental expenses show a decrease. The sums stated represent the best estimates that can be made, but the figure is, of course, somewhat conjectural. The estimate is founded upon our experience of past years. Item BB is merely a token vote. An accident such as the Lismore case of a few years ago would involve much heavier expenditure, and would have to be met by an increased estimate. The other sub-headings are as explained. Item D (services in connection with wrecks and salvage) is off-set by certain receipts. The cost of securing and disposing of objects washed up on the coast is almost balanced by an appropriation-in-aid under sub-head G. This almost may be regarded as a conjectural item, because one of the items that will fall to be dealt with under the sub-head of "services in connection with wrecks and salvage" is expenses incurred in connection with the burial of the carcases of whales which may be washed up. That is, of course, a matter that nobody can form an estimate of.

Mr. JOHNSON

I should like if the Minister would give us a little light as to the duties of the medical inspector of emigrant ships. I believe there is need for some close inquiry into the whole question of the treatment of emigrants. While I do not want to raise the question fully now, it occurs to me that if we have a medical inspector of emigrant ships, he has certain duties. Presumably his duties are more or less to confirm the work of such medical inspectors of Great Britain or Continental countries who inspect the ships before they leave their home ports. Perhaps the Minister would give me some indication of the duties of this medical inspector. If he cannot do so, perhaps he will inquire into the matter, and that that will lead to closer examination of the position of emigrants on ships going from Irish ports. I am told that there is need—I go no further than that—for a thorough inquiry into the condition of emigrants going from Irish ports to America.

Mr. DUFFY

I had occasion quite recently to visit many parts of the County Galway. It came to my notice when visiting Clifden, which is a promontory on the western coast, that telephonic or telegraphic communication with Bofin was unavailable at the time and the islanders were placed in a very parlous position. Disease often occurs on the island and frequently no doctor is available there. Nurses have to be found often, and, as this complaint respecting communication was made to me I bring it to the notice of the Minister and hope that he will give it his attention.

Mr. McGILLIGAN

If Deputy Johnson will give me privately any details of his suspicions with regard to what is wanting in the medical inspection of emigrants, or of ships for emigrants, I will get the matter looked into. There is a certain salary paid the medical officer at Cobh. Certain duties fall upon him under the practice, backed by regulations. If the Deputy thinks the regulations are not sufficient or that the practice has been wanting, or that the duties carried out here are insufficient in any way, I will have the matter examined.

The other question as regards communication between Clifden and elsewhere arises, I presume, in connection with the Coast Live Saving Service. There has been an attempt made to get all the stations joined up by the telephone service. It must be remembered, however, that we have not built up the whole Coastguard Service, as it was previously under the Board of Trade. There were about 180 stations on the Free State coast; now we have only 53. It is believed that these 53 make adequate provision for life-saving off the coast. If, in fact, there is any deficiency in the communications between Clifden and elsewhere, I will have the matter attended to.

Mr. JOHNSON

Perhaps the Minister would say whether the function of this medical inspector is to inquire into the condition of the ship after it arrives at an Irish port, or whether his function goes beyond the mere condition of the ship to the condition in which the people emigrating are placed in the ship.

Mr. McGILLIGAN

A certain amount of the inspection is actually done before the emigrant reaches the emigrant ship. It is done, as the Deputy may have noticed himself, on the tender taking the people out, say, from Cobh to the boat lying out in the roads. There is another inspection as to whether or not the ship is a suitable one for carrying emigrants. That is a different matter, but it is also looked at, and one or two complaints have been made about ships. One rather serious case arose, but an improvement has been effected. There is definitely an examination of the people and an examination of the boat.

Vote put and agreed to.