asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that, arising out of a dispute between the Irish Seamen's and Port Workers' Union and Messrs. Palgrave Murphy, Ltd. (managers of Irish Shipping, Ltd.) regarding a successful claim by that union for a bonus for seamen sailing out of convoy, a threat was made that in future none of the ships owned by Irish Shipping, Ltd., would be sent to the Port of Dublin; whether he is further aware that (a) within the three months ended 15th May, 1942, 11 cargoes, carried by five ships which have made trips across the Atlantic have arrived and have been discharged in Irish ports other than Dublin; (b) that this diversion of shipping is tantamount to a boycott of the Port of Dublin by Irish Shipping, Ltd., and (c) whether, in view of the grave hardship imposed on Dublin seamen and dockers by the diversion of this company's ships, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that a fair proportion of the shipping will be directed without further delay to the Port of Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Port of Dublin Shipping.
I am not aware of any such threat as that referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the remaining parts, the selection of ports of discharge for ships owned by Irish Shipping, Limited, is primarily a matter for the board of that company, and, in deciding on the port of discharge for a particular cargo, I am satisfied that they take into account all relevant factors, including the necessity for getting the maximum possible amount of essential commodities into this country over a period of time.
Will the Minister state why he failed repeatedly to answer correspondence from the affected parties in relation to this matter and why he refused to receive a deputation from the Trade Union Council, although he was made aware that a very large number of Dublin seamen and dockers were knocked out of employment on account of the diversion of shipping from the Port of Dublin to other ports? Finally, will he say whether the change in policy was brought about on his advice and direction, or solely on the initiative of Irish Shipping, Limited?
The Deputy has asked so many question that I have some difficulty in replying to them. I have never failed to reply to any correspondence from anybody on this subject. I replied to the Dublin Trade Union Council on precisely the same lines as I have now replied to the Deputy, adding that as the matter is not one for my Department, I did not see that any useful purpose would be served by my meeting them to discuss it. It was never the intention that ships of Irish Shipping, Limited, would sail only into the Port of Dublin. Quite clearly, these ships must be utilised so as to bring in the maximum amount of supplies in the shortest period of time and with due regard to the districts of the country where they are most required and the necessity for eliminating unnecessary transportation within the country. Apart, however, from these considerations, it is a fact that by far the greater part of the tonnage of goods carried into this country by Irish Shipping, Limited, has been carried into the Port of Dublin. It is also a fact that other ships owned in this country and controlled by the Department of Supplies have sailed almost exclusively into the Port of Dublin, and there is no ground for complaint, so far as the Port of Dublin is concerned, of any discrimination against it.
Do I understand that the bulk of transatlantic cargoes are discharged at the Port of Dublin? May I remind the Minister that 11 cargoes, carried across the Atlantic, were discharged, during the three months ending the 15th May, at ports other than Dublin, and that this diversion of these ships took place from the date of the trade dispute to which I have referred——
The Deputy is making a speech.
——that it is only since the trade dispute that this diversion took place, and will the Minister take steps to see that a fair proportion of shipping will be brought to Dublin?
Am I to understand that it is the policy of the Labour Party that Irish ships are not to sail into Cork or Limerick?
If the Minister for Supplies cannot supply essential commodities he might at least supply us with information relating to his Department.
The Deputy is now asking a supplementary question.