asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the number of Irish ships bought by Irish Shipping, Ltd., and the total net tonnage of such ships: the total sum expended on their purchase and the actual cost of each such ship.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Ships.
The total number of ships purchased by Irish Shipping, Limited, to date is seven. The aggregate net tonnage of these seven ships is 13,499, and the aggregate purchase price is £979,556. In addition, five ships of an aggregate net tonnage of 10,662 have been chartered by the company.
What is the cost of each of the ships?
I could not give that figure.
Do the chartered ships belong to the constituent companies?
No.
How did you arrive at the total cost of the seven ships if you did not know the cost in each case?
I did know.
Then it is not that you could not give the figure, but that you would not?
Yes.