asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any proposal was received by his Department from Irish Shipping, Limited, since February, 1948, for the sale of ships owned by the company; and, if so, when the proposal was received and what decision was conveyed to the company.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Ships.
Proposals for the sale of the seven old vessels for which replacements had been ordered in 1946 and 1947 were made to my predecessor by Irish Shipping, Limited, on the following dates in 1949: 3rd March, 23rd March, 29th June, 11th August, 31st August, 23rd September and 13th October. These proposals were approved in each case.
On 31st January, 1951, the company indicated that they proposed to sell the two small vessels of the fleet, totalling 4,500 tons deadweight—the Irish Rose and the Irish Willow, and to purchase out of the proceeds of the sale a secondhand vessel of about 9,000 tons deadweight. The company were informed that the proposed sale of the Irish Rose and the Irish Willow could not be authorised if it involved transfer of ownership and registration outside this country.
They wanted to dispose of these vessels. The Government's attitude was: "You cannot get rid of these vessels, we will not allow you to get rid of them"—because of the fact that they had not already secured the ship which they proposed to purchase with the proceeds of the two ships they intended to sell.
They proposed to swop these two ships.
They were proposing to throw out the dirty water before they got in the clean. We would not allow them to do that unless they maintained the quantity of shipping we then had.
That is very contrary to the Minister's statement.
It is not. The tide has been missed in this case.
That is only the first instalment.
I am glad to see that the Deputy is here.
Yes and with the printed record.