asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he proposes to amend Section 34 of the Pilotage Act, 1913, in order to allow for the payment of more than the present rate of 10/6d. per day specified in the Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amendment of Pilotage Act, 1913.
25.
The promotion of legislation for the sole purpose of amending Section 34 of the Pilotage Act, 1913, would not be justified and I may say that I have had no representations in the matter from any other interests concerned. I will, however, bear the point in mind for consideration if and when amendment of the Act is in contemplation.
Is the Minister not aware that his Department notified interested bodies that an amendment of the Act is being considered? In view of representations which they made, does he consider that 10/6 per day for overcarrying pilots brought to New York or anywhere else is sufficient in 1963?
Some consideration was given to amending that section of the Act, but when inquiries were made, no representations were received by us from the Port Authorities Association and we did not proceed further. I am told that no hardship is involved. We have received no complaints from pilots.
Does the Minister say that no representation has been received from the Pilots Association?
Not recently, anyway.
If I produce a letter from the Minister's Department which shows that such a representation was made, will the Minister then admit that it was made?
There may have been an individual one. We have had no general representations.
The Minister got representations from the Pilots Association. The Minister should at least know that.