asked the Minister for Defence if he will reconsider his refusal to a previous request to admit students of the vocational schools, Cobh, to the naval dockyard at Haulbowline having regard to the fact that the trade unions would welcome such a scheme and that it would open up an outlet for many clever boys who at the moment cannot find suitable employment in keeping with the high standard they have attained in engineering and trade courses at the vocational school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Admission of Apprentices in Haulbowline.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) whether he is prepared to admit apprentices to the naval depot, Haulbowline, Cobh, as requested by the Cork County Vocational Committee and the Cobh Sub-Committee on Vocational Education, and (b) if he is aware that the tradesmen personnel working in the depot are willing to accept a number of these apprentices.
A Chinn Chomhairle, with your permission I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. I am reconsidering the question of the admission of civilian apprentices to the naval dockyard at Haulbowline. I am not aware of the views of the tradesmen at Haulbowline in the matter.
Would the Minister state if one of the reasons why he refused to admit these apprentices to the naval dockyard was because he was afraid the trade unions would object to having them in the place? I have very sound information that these trade unions will not object and I think they would welcome any gesture that the Minister would make towards allowing these apprentices in.
I hope that is the position. I am having the matter reconsidered, anyhow.