asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that there are a large number of shipyard workers unemployed in Dublin, while many of the companies using the Port of Dublin have repairs to their ships executed abroad; and, if so, whether he will make representations to such companies to insure that at least 50 per cent. of their repairs will be carried out in Dublin, where first-class facilities for executing such repairs exist.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repairing of Ships in Dublin.
There is a regrettable amount of unemployment among Dublin shipyard workers and frequent endeavours have been made by my Department to secure repair work for the Saorstát yards. The placing of orders for such work by shipping companies is, however, a business matter in which I necessarily have no powers of control.