asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of ships owned by Irish companies which were disabled in foreign ports and had to be overhauled and repaired in foreign dockyards during the years 1948, 1949 and 1950, the ports near which they were disabled and the dockyards to which they went for repairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Ships.
There are no records in my Department to enable the information asked for by the Deputy to be furnished. Shipping companies are under no obligation to furnish such particulars and I do not propose to call for a special return.
The Minister stated to me last Wednesday in reply to a question that very many Irish ships were delayed in foreign ports and that that was one of the reasons why they had to be repaired in foreign dockyards. As the Minister has told me now he has no means of getting this information, I wonder on what information he based his statement to me last Wednesday, when he said that very many ships belonging to Irish companies were delayed in foreign ports and therefore had to be repaired there?
The first and second parts of the Deputy's supplementary are in conflict. We can have general knowledge that certain things are happening, but it is quite another matter when we are asked for specific particulars. I had the general knowledge, but I have not the specific information asked for by the Deputy, nor have I the authority to get it.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply given by the Minister, I propose with your permission, Sir, to raise the subject matter of this question and of Question No. 26 on the Order Paper of last Wednesday on the Adjournment.
I will consider the matter.
Might I submit that I am not answerable for information which is available to the shipping companies of this country, nor can I get it?
The Chair will consider the matter and bear all these factors in mind.