asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any progress has been made regarding the provision of an Irish Mercantile Marine service, and if, to cope with the scarcity of ships and to relieve unemployment in the shipbuilding industry, he will arrange as soon as possible for the building of ships in Eire.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Mercantile Marine.
Mr. A. Byrne
The methods by which an increase in the number of Irish registered ships could best be effected have been under consideration for some considerable time. The difficulties in this connection have been increased by the fact that the outbreak of war in Europe has greatly aggravated the risks attendant upon the ownership of ships, even though they sail under the flags of neutral nations, so that this country has already sustained losses on that account which have been relatively very heavy. The whole question, however, has been the subject of close investigation in the light of the circumstances existing since the war began, and I hope to come to a conclusion in regard to it at an early date.
So far as the shipbuilding industry is concerned, I may say that I have had continually in mind the desirability and possibility of reviving it, and every effort has been made by me to this end. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, these efforts have been successful to the extent that the Dublin Dockyard has been at last re-opened. The position elsewhere is under active consideration, and I can assure the Deputy that, in the national interest, no effort will be spared to bring about an extension of the industry to other centres.