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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Ships.

Mr. Byrne

asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state what steps, if any, have been taken by his Department to protect the lives of seamen on Irish ships carrying food supplies and other essential goods to Éire; if guarantees will be asked for an uninterrupted passage for the remainder of our Irish ships, and if the Government have made any protest concerning the recent Irish shipping losses.

It would obviously not be desirable to detail the steps which have been taken to ensure the safety of our ships and their crews. The Deputy may rest assured that no step which might contribute towards that end has been neglected.

As regards the second part of the Deputy's question, neutral ships carrying neutral cargoes have a right to navigate freely and safely. I do not see why we should seek guarantees or special agreements about something to which we are entitled in international law, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by our doing so.

In the last year and a half we have lost three vessels. One—"The City of Bremen"—was sunk last June as the result of a bombing attack by a German aircraft. A strong protest was made to the German Government. Since then, two other vessels have been presumed lost—the "Irish Pine" last November and the "Kyleclare" at the end of last month. There is no evidence as to what happened to these two vessels, and in each case the loss is at present the subject of an official inquiry in accordance with Section 465 of the Merchant Shipping Act. I am awaiting the result of these inquiries.

Mr. Byrne

In the meantime, may we have an assurance that the Taoiseach is making every effort to get an uninterrupted passage for Irish ships?

The Deputy may be sure, as I have told him, that everything that should be done is being done.

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