asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of shallow-draught harbours like Wexford which depend for their revenues largely on the coal traffic in view of the large supplies of continental coal that are coming into the Saorstát in steamers drawing a deeper draught than Wexford and ports similarly situated can accommodate, and also in view of the further large importation of American coal likely to be arranged for; if he is further aware that hundreds of families who lived out of handling the cargoes in such small ports are having their livelihood swept away by the concentration of this traffic in three or four of the larger ports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saorstát Coal Traffic.
As the Deputy is probably aware, arrangements have already been made, in order to safeguard the interests of small ports to some extent, for the payment of a subsidy of 2/6 per ton on the coal carried in Saorstát-owned vessels of not more than 170 tons register to the small ports in the Saorstát. In addition, the general situation of the small ports in respect of the matters referred to by the Deputy is under consideration.
Are the dockers in Wexford and small seaport towns to live in hopes? What provision is being made for them and their families?