asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Rushbrooke Docks, County Cork, have been advertised to be sold within the next few days; if he is further aware that it is essential that the up-to-date equipment of this dockyard should be available for ships using the Port of Cork, and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent the sale of the equipment of this dockyard and thus secure its retention for the Port of Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Future of Rushbrooke Docks
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the sale of the Rushbrooke Docks has been decided upon and that advertisements respecting that sale have already been issued; and also if he is aware of the value of this dockyard to Cork Harbour and of the necessity of retaining it if Cork Harbour is to continue with its present up-to-date equipment; further, to ask what efforts have been made to secure the continued use of the dockyard by ship-repairing firms, and if he is aware that the dockyard in question is one of the few ship-repairing dockyards left in the Saorstát, and if in the national interest he will take steps to delay the sale of the Rushbrooke Docks until further efforts have been made to secure the fullest use of the equipment therein.
I propose to answer questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I am aware of the circumstances in regard to the Rushbrooke Docks. Every effort has been made to have these docks reopened and I am prepared to give every possible facility to any group of persons who would undertake to work them. I have no power, however, to prevent the sale of the plant and equipment at the docks.