asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his attention has been drawn to a report that a cargo of rails from the closed branch lines from Headford to Kenmare and from Farranfore to Valentia Harbour had been shipped by Córas lompair Éireann from Cork, and that the Board had procured a special export licence for the shipment; and if he will give details of the licence, including name and address of the purchaser, the quantity of rails involved and the price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Branch Lines: Shipment of Rails.
37.
I have seen the report referred to. Owing to the implementation of C.I.E.'s reorganisation programme there have been abnormal arisings of railway materials and special facilities have been granted to the Company for the export of that portion of the material which is reusable.
With regard to the cargo of rails in question, the tonnage was 1,400 tons and the destination was Italy. It would not be proper to divulge the name of the purchaser or the price paid.
Will the Minister state whether C.I.E. gave any chance to anybody else to buy these rails or to tender for them?
That is a separate matter.
I asked the supplementary on the other Question and I was referred to the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
This matter is entirely outside the scope of this Question.
I would ask the Minister to answer that question because, if he does not, I shall bring him in here again tonight. Deputies can laugh that off too.
Have similar facilities to export this type of scrap been granted to everybody who applied for them or has a licence been refused in certain cases?
The licence was granted after the position of those firms in this country who use scrap had been considered. C.I.E. had provided Irish Steel Holdings, for example, with a very large amount of scrap. It may be taken that export licence was granted under proper conditions.
Yes, but can it be taken that other applicants for licences to export steel scrap were refused licences and forced to sell their scrap to Haul-bowline at one-quarter of the price which was realised by Córas Iompair Éireann for that scrap?
Every case is examined on its merits and due regard is paid to the needs of home manufacturers.
Yes, but is it fair to grant Córas lompair Éireann a licence to export 1,400 tons and to refuse an individual a licence to export ten tons?
That is a separate question.
Is the Minister aware that Coras lompair Éireann refused to sell some of these rails to native manufacturers? Is the Minister aware of that?
Question No. 38.
Is the Minister prepared to grant licences for the reimportation of this material?
There was no improper action with regard to the export of these rails. They consist of steel of a particular kind. Naturally, each application for an export licence is examined on its merits, as to the nature of the commodity, the purposes for which it could be used, its value as scrap and every consideration.
Will the Minister say why they were not put up for public tender?
How many questions does the Deputy think he can ask as Supplementaries?
If the Minister had answered my first question it would not be necessary for me to ask Supplementary Questions. Will the Minister answer the Question? Otherwise he will come in here tonight.
He does not have to.