asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state if the Government has decided to dismantle the workshops at Haulbowline Dockyard, and offer for sale the machinery and fittings; if so, whether the sale will be publicly advertised and open to public tender; and whether it has been decided to remove the valuable and useful machinery there to other dockyards in the Saorstát.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - HAULBOWLINE DOCKYARD WORKSHOPS.
It has not been decided to dismantle the workshops at Haulbowline Dockyard. There is, however, at the dockyard a quantity of plant and machinery which is of no use for the work of ship repairing and it is proposed to dispose of this surplus plant and machinery and of a quantity of scrap material which has accumulated at the dockyard.
It is proposed, in the first instance, to endeavour to secure suitable offers for the surplus plant and machinery and the scrap by private treaty; if satisfactory offers cannot be obtained by this means the surplus plant, machinery and scrap will be advertised for tender.
When the surplus plant and machinery and scrap have been disposed of, it is proposed to take steps to let the dockyard for use as a shiprepairing yard. Nothing will be sold that is necessary for this use of the dockyard.
Does the Minister think it fair that these works should be closed down? If Haulbowline is closed down and if this machinery is not put into use it will be a serious matter for the district. Does the Government definitely intend to close down Haulbowline?
Mr. BOURKE
The workshop is not being closed down.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean that the works are not being sold? I am sorry I cannot hear the Parliamentary Secretary.