asked the Minister for Transport and Power what steps he has taken to safeguard the employment of workers in Limerick port arising from the centralisation of cross-channel traffic to Dublin port.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Port Employment.
21.
I am not aware of any imminent disemployment of workers in Limerick port arising from diversion of cross-channel traffic to Dublin. The Government recognises that technological changes in the shipping industry as in other industries may cause redundancy. The Redundancy Payments Act, 1967, and the retraining and re-settlement schemes of the Department of Labour are designed to deal with this problem and the intensified efforts to promote industry, particularly in the Limerick region, should provide greater employment opportunities and help to absorb redundancy.
Is the Minister not aware of the representations that have been made by Limerick Harbour Commissioners and of the concern that has arisen regarding the future of Limerick port in regard to the cross-channel service and what steps has he taken to safeguard the port of Limerick?
We provided grants for the improvement of Limerick harbour some years ago. We also provided grants for Foynes harbour as a deep sea harbour, to increase traffic there. I am aware that the Limerick Harbour Commissioners have undertaken a market examination as to the prospects for Limerick. That has not been completed. I think Limerick Harbour Commissioners are well aware of the position whereby continental traffic, for example, has increased in a recent period and cross-channel general cargo has dropped. The Intelligence Unit's report to the Harbour Commissioners included in its recommendations on the improvement of port operations at Limerick the employment by the Commissioners of a marketing officer and the installation of a suitable crane. At the same time there has been a problem in regard to restrictive practices at the port of Limerick and, as the Deputy may be aware, a working party comprising representatives of FUE, Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Department of Labour has been set up to consider the feasibility of having a special redundancy scheme introduced for dock workers quite apart from any recent changes and trends in traffic in order to enable more traffic to pass through the port of Limerick. No doubt the Deputy is aware of the efforts made in that respect.
Is the Minister not aware of the differential which exists in regard to western ports as against eastern ports? Is he aware that there is a differential of 15 per cent in favour of the western ports? Is he not also aware that the Limerick Harbour Commissioners have already made the appointment to which he has now referred and, in view of these facts and in the light of what is happening at Limerick port, will the Minister guarantee to the House that the future of Limerick port will not be affected by the instant measures taken by CIE in regard to the trans-shipment of container traffic through the port of Dublin?
The Deputy is aware that there is also an employment position in CIE and unless CIE make use of modern methods such as unitisation people will be disemployed in CIE. The Deputy may also be aware that recently requests were made to me to defer giving licences to shipping companies for transport because of the desire of the people of Limerick to preserve the extent of employment in CIE there and that CIE have to compete with other carriers, with carriers on their own account and with licensed carriers. There is a certain amount of employment there and CIE have also to take advantage of the fact that traders are making their own decisions regarding the method of transport they use and this is a trend which is now found all over Europe. It is quite impossible for a Minister in charge of transport and power in any country, under any form of Government, whether extremely left, left of centre, or centre, to prevent certain inevitable changes that are taking place arising from the use of containers. I have tried to explain this to the House in the greatest possible detail. It is also necessary with a view to maintaining competitive costs and enabling manufacturers or others to be competitive that the latest forms of transport and the newest techniques be used. If they do not use them it will merely result in their losing business to other manufacturers abroad who do use these techniques.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply I intend, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
There is already a question on the Adjournment and it will be necessary for the Deputy to give notice on another day.
It shall be done.