The report states: "My investigation leads me to the following general conclusions: the only type of commercial firm likely to find the premises attractive would be one engaged in shipbuilding or ship repairing. The portions of premises most suitable to such a firm is situated east of a line drawn north and south through the hospital Camber. Much of the existing machinery, even in this portion of the island, is superfluous, and greatly in excess of any possible demands for commercial ship-repairing, and could be sold. The existing machinery is badly balanced. Great attention has been paid to the engine and electrical side of the works, but the shipbuilding and iron-working side has been neglected, with the result that a large proportion of the machinery in this section is obsolete, while the use of some of the larger machines is restricted, due to the fact that the size of the material which could be worked is already limited by the small size of machines available for other processes. It would not be, in my opinion, a wise policy to attempt a new lay-out of the yard, partly for reasons quoted under paragraph 4, and further, owing to the fact that in the event of the yard being taken, any new management would almost certainly make alterations to suit their own views. The concentration which would be effected would be very small, and by not carrying out such an operation, I am satisfied that the prospects of disposal would not be impaired. There is nothing to be gained by incurring a very heavy expense in making a general shift round of machines, such as has been mooted. The question of power plant and pumping plant wants special consideration, and in doing this, the possible results of the Shannon Scheme must be borne in mind.
"There is a large quantity of scrap of all kinds in the yard, much of which is valuable, consisting of such things as copper pipes and the like. This could be readily sold, and for purposes of sale, I suggest it should be carefully sorted. As to the possible future lay-out of the premises at the east of the Camber, I am of opinion that, generally speaking, a possible occupier would do little as far as actual rearrangement of the existing shops is concerned and, in my opinion, the alterations which would most likely be carried out would be to find storage accommodation in the way of a general store by taking either the workmen's dining hall, the paravane shed, or the present electrical fitting shop for this purpose. It might also be an improvement if the loan tool store and latrines at the back of same were removed so as to give slightly better access from the smithy to the dock side."
We are acting on the engineer's report. The staff, in addition to their other duties which are largely of a maintenance kind, are collecting this redundant machinery and getting it ready for sale. We feel that it would fetch a much better price if put up for sale in that way than if it had to be sold as scrap. In addition, there is a certain amount of salvaging being done there. There is also important work being done as regards breaking up the hulk Garnet. It is very little value as it is, but it will be of some value when broken up. It has a copper bottom. The men are also engaged on salvaging the Coralis. I am sure that Deputy Flinn or anyone who knows the position in Haulbowline must clearly realise that a very large staff is required to maintain the machinery down there. The machinery is very valuable and it requires a good deal of looking after. I do not think it is necessary for me to state in detail the various kinds of machinery there. Deputy Anthony has, in his statement, given as much detail as I could give. I gave information to Deputy Flinn, who asked for it, as well as to some other Deputies who I thought would be particularly interested as to the number of staff engaged there. I do not think there is anything further I can add on that.
The oil-tanks that Deputy Moore spoke about are of very large capacity —about 17,000 gallons. Two of them, I think, are of a capacity of 5,500 gallons each, and there are two others with a capacity of 500 gallons. If we could we would let the whole lot of them, but at the moment there is no prospect of any firm taking them over for the purpose that the Deputy has suggested.
I may say that our whole object, if we can possibly do it, is to lease these premises on favourable terms. In the meantime it would be a very serious matter to cease doing the necessary maintenance work and thereby allow these valuable premises to become dilapidated. Amongst other people with whom we have been in touch in trying to dispose of these premises in a favourable way is the firm of Messrs. Henry Ford. of Cork. They have informed us that the place is too far away from their present plant and factory. For the moment there is nothing for us to do except to carry on and try and keep down expenses to a minimum, while at the same time seeing that the machinery is kept in a suitable condition in case any firm comes the way to take control of it.