asked the Minister for Transport and Power how many ships Irish Shipping Limited has sold during the past 12 months; and how many men were employed on them.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Shipping Vessels.
6.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power how many foreign ships have been chartered by Irish Shipping Limited during the past 12 months; and how many Irish nationals have been, and still are, employed on such ships.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The sale and chartering of vessels is primarily the concern of the Board of Irish Shipping Ltd.
In the past 12 months the company sold one vessel on which a crew of 44 had been employed.
The company had previously sold another vessel in August 1965 and this vessel was chartered immediately under her new name from the purchasers as a matter of convenience to complete certain commitments. This charter terminated on 13th June, 1966. So far as the company are aware no Irish seamen were employed on the ship during the period of the charter.
These vessels were disposed of because they were uneconomic and no longer suitable for the company's trade. A large dry cargo bulk carrier of 34,000 tons d.w. is at present being built at Cork Dock Yard for delivery to the company in October, 1967.
Will the Minister say what happened the vessels that were scrapped? Did they go to the scrapyard or are they still in use?
I think they are still in use.