Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Nov 1932

Vol. 44 No. 8

Vote 59—Marine Service.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Lemass)

I move:—

Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £2,713 chun slánuithe na suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1933, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí na Muir-Sheirbhíse (Merchants Shipping Acts, 1894-1921, Crown Lands Acts, 1829-1866).

That a sum not exceeding £2,713 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, 1933, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Marine Service (Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894-1921, Crown Lands Acts, 1829-1866).

As compared with last year, there is practically no change shown in the Estimate.

Mr. Good

Could the Minister give the House some information about the work that is discharged by the Marine branch? I see that the staff consists of a considerable number of chief surveyors, superintendents and others. Would the Minister tell us something about the work that is being done by these officers during the year under consideration? How many surveys, for instance, have been held?

Mr. Lemass

I am afraid I could not give the Deputy the information at the moment.

Mr. Good

The last Vote that we had under consideration was for the Railway Tribunal. If I may refer incidentally to it, it is not discharging any useful functions at the moment, and still we have to pay for its continuance. Now we have come to another important Vote. I do not think that I am unfair to the Minister in asking him what particular duties the large staffs provided for on this Vote discharge. Surely we are entitled to have that information. If the Minister is not in a position to give it, then we can postpone the Vote. I take it that we are entitled to know the duties that the staff are called on to discharge during the period under review.

Mr. Lemass

That is not the question that the Deputy asked a moment ago. He asked for certain statistical information which I was not in a position to give.

Mr. Good

I asked as to the number of surveys that had been held. I take it that it is work of that kind these surveyors discharge.

Mr. Lemass

The Department has certain statutory obligations which must be discharged. There is the control and administration of merchant shipping. The inspection in certain circumstances of shipping, trading with the Saorstát, has to be carried out. It is the duty of the marine officers in the service of the Department to carry out those functions.

Mr. Good

Probably the Minister is aware that there has been a considerable falling off in the amount of shipping passing through our ports. I would like to know what effect that has had on the staff of this Department?

Mr. Lemass

None.

Mr. Good

Could the Minister give us some information regarding the number of surveys, for instance, held in previous years compared with this year, so that Deputies may be in a position to form an opinion as to whether it is necessary to maintain the large staff provided for on this Vote.

Mr. Lemass

The Deputy is asking for certain statistical information which could not be supplied without notice. If he wants the information he can put down a Parliamentary Question and he will get it.

Mr. Good

I do not think that I am asking anything that is outside the purview of the Vote.

Mr. McGilligan

Would the Minister state in what circumstances the statutory duties to which he referred have to be carried out?

Mr. Lemass

Under all circumstances.

Mr. McGilligan

The surveyors survey whether there is anything to survey or not.

Mr. Lemass

They have to carry out their duties under all circumstances.

Mr. McGilligan

What are the duties for which we are paying certain surveyors? When do they perform these duties and if they are performing them, why have we these reductions under the Appropriations-in-Aid?

Mr. Lemass

The duties are numerous and complicated and are being discharged efficiently by the officers.

Mr. Good

Is the Minister aware that there is grass growing on the North Wall?

Mr. Lemass

It is not the only place where grass is growing.

Mr. McGilligan

Would the Minister explain why the Appropriations-in-Aid under (a) have been reduced from £3,475 to £1,975?

Mr. Lemass

The Appropriations-in-Aid as explained in the Estimate are (a) Fees for Surveys and Inspections of Ships, Medical Inspections of Crews, Passengers, or Stores, Examinations of Masters, Mates, and Engineers, etc., also Payments by Commissioners of Irish Lights in respect of Chief Surveyor and Surveyor acting as their Engineer, Superintendent and Inspector of Shipping respectively; and (b) Miscellaneous Receipts.

The reductions have taken place under a number of headings, and I shall be glad to supply the Deputy with the required information if he will table the necessary question.

Mr. McGilligan

I am asking him for the information now, under the Estimate. Might the reductions not have something to do with the fact that there are less ships coming in and less emigrants?

Mr. Lemass

Yes, that is one of the reasons.

Mr. McGilligan

Yes, but that is the first time he heard of it.

Vote put and agreed to.