asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) in respect of each vessel owned by Irish Shipping, Limited, the name, cost, date of construction, tonnage, classification and present use, and (2) in respect of all contracts placed for further vessels the cost, probable date of delivery, and tonnage and classification, (3) if any additional purchases have been sanctioned, the approximate estimated cost, the date on which it is intended to place a contract, and the tonnage and classification of each such vessel, and (4) the amount that will be required in 1957/58 and each subsequent financial year to finance such programmes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Shipping.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the required particulars except those relating to the cost of individual vessels. Irish Shipping Ltd. have informed me that it would be contrary to normal commercial practice to furnish particulars of the cost of individual vessels and the company consider that the publication of such information might be prejudicial to them.
The total cost of the vessels in commission was £6,500,000. The estimated cost of vessels on order is a further £6,500,000. No additional purchases have been arranged.
The capital requirements of Irish Shipping Ltd. for the current financial year will be indicated by the Minister for Finance when introducing his Budget. The company's requirements for future years cannot be stated now.
The following is the statement:—
IRISH SHIPPING LTD.
I. PRESENT FLEET.
Name of vessel |
Date of Construction |
Tonnage |
Classification |
Present Use |
||
Net |
Gross |
dead weight |
||||
Irish Pine |
December, 1948 |
2,740 |
5,048 |
7,620 |
Deep Sea Dry Cargo |
The deep sea dry cargo vessels are engaged either on the North Atlantic trade or on charter in various parts of the world. |
Irish Cedar |
January, 1949 |
3,065 |
5,627 |
8,700 |
,, |
|
Irish Oak |
July, 1949 |
2,803 |
5,077 |
7,560 |
,, |
|
Irish Plane |
December, 1949 |
2,988 |
5,368 |
8,870 |
,, |
|
Irish Hazel |
March, 1950 |
2,987 |
5,366 |
8,840 |
,, |
|
Irish Heather |
August, 1952 |
527 |
1,057 |
1,397 |
Collier |
|
Irish Elm |
December, 1953 |
3,209 |
5,828 |
8,920 |
Deep Sea Dry Cargo |
|
Irish Holly |
May, 1954 |
1,381 |
2,940 |
3,350 |
Coastal Tanker |
The Coastal Dry Cargo vessels and the colliers are engaged on voyage or time charters. |
Irish Fern |
December, 1954 |
522 |
1,113 |
1,374 |
Collier |
|
Irish Rose |
February, 1956 |
782 |
1,749 |
1,970 |
Coastal Dry Cargo |
|
Irish Larch |
October, 1956 |
3,302 |
6,217 |
9,770 |
Deep Sea Dry Cargo |
|
Irish Poplar |
December, 1956 |
4,576 |
8,023 |
10,051 |
,, |
|
Irish Fir |
December, 1956 |
743 |
1,752 |
1,941 |
Coastal Dry Cargo |
The Coastal tanker is engaged on a time Charter. |
Irish Willow |
January, 1957 |
746 |
1,743 |
1,943 |
,, |
|
Irish Maple |
January, 1957 |
6,217 |
9,700 |
Deep Sea Dry Cargo |
II. VESSELS ON ORDER.
Estimated Delivery Date |
Estimated Tonnage |
Classification |
||
Net |
gross |
dead weight |
||
September, 1957 |
4,576 |
8,023 |
10,051 |
Deep Sea Dry Cargo |
September, 1957 |
4,700 |
8,300 |
10,550 |
,, |
January, 1958 |
4,700 |
8,300 |
10,550 |
,, |
January, 1958 |
6,000 |
12,000 |
18,000 |
Deep Sea Tanker. |
December, 1960 |
6,000 |
12,000 |
18,000 |
,, |
Would the Minister feel able to divide the total cost between new and secondhand ships, without giving individual items?
They are all new ships.
Some were bought earlier that were not new. Have they all been sold?
Oh, yes. All the ships now are ships that were built for the Irish shipping fleet.
Is the Minister sure?
Yes.
I am not so sure. I think they have two.