asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state in respect of the past three years what attempt was made by Irish Shipping to place orders in the Liffey Dockyard and Verolme Shipyards; and whether any approach was made to Harland and Wolfe in the same period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Shipping Orders.
6.
Mr. O'Leary
As already indicated in replies to previous questions on this subject, the building, overhaul and repair of their vessels is the concern of the Board of Irish Shipping Ltd. It is the Board's policy to have their vessels built or repaired at Irish shipyards whenever it is feasible and economic to do so.
I have ascertained from Irish Shipping Ltd., that no orders for new vessels have been placed by them in the past three years. Verolme Cork Dockyard and Harland and Wolfe have been asked recently to quote for a new vessel which the company propose to acquire. Liffey Dockyard do not build vessels of the size required.
Tenders for repairs, necessitating drydocking of ships, were invited from Liffey Dockyard Ltd., on 22 occasions, Verolme Cork Dockyard Ltd., on 31 occasions and Harland and Wolfe, on three occasions.
Voyage repairs not necessitating dry-docking were carried out on 55 occasions by Liffey Dockyard Ltd., on three occasions by Verolme Cork Dockyard Ltd., and on one occasion by Harland & Wolfe.
Mr. O'Leary
Has the Minister any further indication in regard to the tenders he mentioned at the moment from any of the shipyards, any more firm figure got from the shipyards for the tenders mentioned?
No, I have not. That is the latest indication.