asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the fact that only five Irishowned ships of a total dead weight tonnage of 435 tons are engaged in traffic between Irish ports, it is proposed to review the construction programme of Irish Shipping Limited, so as to provide vessels suitable to such coastal trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Shipping.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the fact that the percentage of Irish registered vessels engaged in direct trade between Irish and British ports represents less than 30 per cent. of the total tonnage of all vessels engaged in such trade, it is proposed to review the construction programme of Irish Shipping, Limited, with a view to providing the Irish mercantile marine with vessels suitable to such trade.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together, because it is not practicable in this context to distinguish between vessels suitable for the cross-Channel and coastal trades.
The possibility of further participation by Irish tonnage in the cross-Channel and coastal trades has been under examination by Irish Shipping, Limited, for some time. When the examination has been completed and I have had an opportunity of considering the report that will be made to me by the company, I propose to review the question fully. I should inform the Deputy that the company have acquired a coastal tanker of 3,350 tons dead weight and a collier of 1,400 tons dead weight. A second collier of the same tonnage is under construction and the acquisition of a third collier is contemplated. All these vessels are suitable for the cross-Channel and coastal trades, and they are, of course, in addition to the deep sea tonnage which the company have acquired or will acquire and which will provide for the import of our minimum essential requirements in the event of war.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the maximum tonnage of ships which can enter the following Irish ports to load and discharge cargo:—Wicklow, Arklow, Wexford, Waterford, Dungarvan, Youghal, Kinsale, Tralee, Limerick, Galway, Westport, Sligo, Dundalk, and Drogheda.
The size of vessels which can be accommodated with safety at Irish ports is determined by each harbour authority concerned. The principal determining factor is the draught of vessels, but length, breadth or tonnage may also be taken into account.
Particulars of the depths and the range of tides in the principal Irish ports, including those referred to in the question, are shown in the Shipping Handbook, 1954, published and issued under the direction of the Minister for Industry and Commerce. Copy of the handbook has been placed in the Oireachtas Library.