Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Apr 1930

Vol. 34 No. 9

In Committee on Finance. - Vote No. 59—Marine Service.

Mr. McGilligan

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £3,650 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thoicfidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1931, chun-Tuarastail agus Costaisí na Muir-Sheirbhíse (Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894-1921, Crown Lands Acts, 1829-1866).

That a sum not exceeding £3,650 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, 1931, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Marine Service (Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894-1921, Crown Lands Acts, 1829-1866).

Mr. Esmonde

Perhaps the Minister could explain to us exactly what power he has in regard to wrecks. Under sub-head F there is a small sum for service in connection with wrecks. When a ship is wrecked on this coast has the Minister power to conduct an inquiry or is it conducted by the British Board of Trade? Throughout the country there is considerable suspicion as to the circumstances of the wreck of the "Celtic" outside Cobh Harbour. I doubt if anything was made public with regard to any inquiry by this Government as to the circumstances of that occurrence. Likewise, I do not know if the Minister has any information with regard to the wreck off Tory Island referred to in the British House of Commons, and in connection with which the English made various allegations of theft against the Tory islanders. If the Minister does not conduct an inquiry in such a case I presume it is conducted by the British Board of Trade. Also under sub-head H there is a sum for travelling expenses and subsistence allowances for the officers of the coast life-saving service, but I understand that that service is also paid for like the Irish life service by the British Government. That, perhaps, is only right, seeing that we have not got a mercantile marine, and as it exists merely for the assisting of British ships it is right that they should pay a contribution. I do not know whether the Minister is conducting any negotiations for getting over that service or how far he has got authority over it, and how far the British authority controls it.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Dolan)

The coast life-saving service is a voluntary service, but on every occasion that they have been called upon they have always been available and willing to give every assistance, and they have always creditably performed their duty. Our officers are in telephonic communication with them. Immediately there is a notification of a wreck the coast life-saving service is notified and they immediately take action.

Mr. Esmonde

Who supplies the tackle and the rockets?

Mr. McGilligan

They are charged here for in this estimate.

Mr. Goulding

Who appoints the inspectors and superintendents?

Mr. Dolan

We do.

Mr. Goulding

By whom are they appointed, though?

Mr. Dolan

The inspectors and superintendents are appointed by us, and controlled by us, and paid by us.

Mr. Goulding

What are their duties?

Mr. Dolan

They are land officials who supervise the work and take the necessary action to inform the coast life-saving service where necessary.

Mr. Esmonde

What are the Minister's powers with regard to wrecks?

Mr. Dolan

That Tory Island case is still under investigation. We have taken the necessary steps but the matter is still sub judice.

Mr. McGilligan

The Deputy will probably realise the undesirability of having any discussion on a wreck like that of Tory Island at the present moment, because there may possibly be prosecutions arising out of it, but there will be opportunities of raising the matter at a future time if it comes to the point.

Question put and agreed to.