Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Jul 1960

Vol. 183 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shipbuilding Workers.

27.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his attention has been drawn to a report that Rotterdam shipbuilder, Cornelis Verolme, who needs 1,800 workers, plans to import Chinese from Hong Kong, train them, and send them to new yards in Brazil and Ireland; whether he will make enquiries in the matter and whether he will take steps to prevent the importation of such workers.

I have made inquiries regarding the magazine report referred to by the Deputy and I am advised that the Company concerned have no knowledge of any plans to import Chinese from Hong Kong to work here and no intention of seeking to employ such workers.

Did the Minister read this magazine article?

Did the Minister take any action arising out of it?

There was no need to. I have just told the Deputy that any fears he might entertain are completely unfounded and, in any case, I note from the article that the Chinese referred to are refugees from Red China. II thought the Deputy had some sympathy with these people.

We have refugees here, too.

We have much more sympathy for refugees from Ireland.

They are forgotten.

Arising out of the Minister's reply and out of his mention of Red China, is the Minister aware that I asked him the question, because knowing that the Minister for External Affairs was such a friend of Red China, I thought he might be importing these people?

Order. Question No. 28.

Top
Share