asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he is aware that the gas supply for the City of Dublin is jeopardised by reason of the fact that the crews of the Gas Company's boats refuse to put to sea because of certain conditions at present obtaining, and if he will state what these conditions are, and if he will cause immediate inquiry to be made into the matter with a view to getting the boats back at work and securing the coal supplies necessary to maintain Dublin's gas supplies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shipping Stoppage and Coal Imports.
I am aware that the supply of coal to the Alliance and Dublin Gas Consumers' Company has been restricted by a trade dispute between the crews of certain of the company's boats and the company. The crews in question withdrew their labour without notice and refused to go to sea unless the manning of the crew was increased. My Department and I personally have been in close touch with the parties in this matter and at a conference held yesterday under the auspices of my Department an agreement was entered into for a settlement of this dispute.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the men only refused to go to sea without this extra assistance because they had been machine-gunned?
I am not so aware.