asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state from information available in his Department the net tonnage of steam and motor vessels owned by Irish citizens or companies and registered outside the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Steam and Motor Vessels.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the net tonnage of steam and motor vessels registered in the Republic of Ireland at the latest available date and in respect of such tonnage (a) the amount owned in the State; (b) the amount engaged in coastal, cross-Channel and other trade and (c) the amount on charter to foreign companies.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
At the 30th April, 1953, steam and motor vessels on the main Irish register totalled 42,240 tons net, including fishing boats amounting to 2,376 tons net. Vessels on the Irish fishing boat register, including some sailing vessels and the fishing boats which are also on the main register, amounted to 7,113 tons net. This makes a total of 46,977 tons net of Irish registered vessels.
Separate returns of vessels on the Irish register owned by Irish citizens or companies incorporated in the State are not compiled. Considerable research would be necessary to establish this information but I understand that most of the tonnage on the Irish register is owned by Irish citizens or companies incorporated in the State.
Of the total registered tonnage, 12,288 tons net was engaged on the cross-Channel and coastal trade; 19,468 tons net on the deep-sea and continental trade; 7,113 tons net on fishing and 8,090 tons net on miscellaneousservices. It is not possible to give separate figures for vessels engaged on the cross-Channel or coastal trades as the same vessels usually engage in both trades.
Irish shipowners are not required to furnish particulars of their vessels which may be on charter to foreign companies.
Irish citizens and companies incorporated in the State are not required by law to furnish particulars of their vessels registered outside the State.