asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if Irish Shipping, Limited, proposes to acquire or have built vessels suitable for the Irish coastal trade, and capable of plying between the smaller Irish ports and cross-Channel and continental ports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ships for Coastal Trade.
Irish Shipping, Limited, have at present in their fleet three vessels capable of plying between a number of Irish ports in addition to the four major ports and cross-Channel and continental ports. These vessels comprise a collier of 1,397 tons deadweight and two dry-cargo vessels each of 2,210 tons deadweight. The fleet is being augmented by two additional colliers and a coastal tanker of 3,000 tons deadweight. It is expected that one of the colliers which is at present being built in a Dublin yard, and the coastal tanker, will be delivered during 1954.