asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether any applications have recently been made in his Department for the renting or purchasing of Dublin Dockyard; and if he will state what inducements or protection, if any, he proposes to offer to investors who are prepared to open the dockyard and give reasonable employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Dockyard.
No applications have been made to my Department in respect of the renting or purchase of the Dublin dockyard. Earlier, some negotiations, I understand, did take place between a group considering the opening of the dockyard and the Dublin Port and Docks Board, but the outbreak of war, amongst other considerations, brought these to an end. So far as I am concerned, I am prepared to assist in any reasonable way any group proposing to take an interest in reopening the dockyard.
Is the Minister aware that it has been announced, I think in this morning's paper, that something like 22,000 additional dockyard workers are required in Great Britain; and as there is danger that a further drain will be made on such dockyard workers as we have here, to bring them to England, will the Minister see whether such inquiries as can be made in this particular matter will be made urgently?
The Deputy will understand that as it is very unlikely that our nationals will be the principal customers of dockyards of this sort, it can only be opened upon a competitive and economic basis. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be sufficiently attractive to induce people to take it up as a business proposition.
Has the Minister made any representations to the British Government indicating the facilities there are here for the building or repair of ships, in order to see whether orders which cannot be fulfilled in Great Britain may be placed here?
I do not think it is necessary to make such representations; the British Government must be well aware of the facilities which are available here.
The Minister has no intention of taking any steps to inquire?
Might I ask the Minister if his attention has been brought to the statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty in Great Britain to the effect that the British Government has now undertaken responsibility not only for building warcraft but for the replacements of the merchant navy losses in Great Britain, and in those circumstances has he considered approaching any of the shipbuilding yards in Great Britain who have now been charged with the task of replacing merchant navy losses in Great Britain during this period, with a view to interesting the shipping yards in the added accommodation which is available for work in the port of Dublin?
That question raises considerations which I am not prepared to deal with by way of supplementary question and answer.