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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Mar 1971

Vol. 252 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Transport Vessel.

43.

asked the Minister for Defence (a) the price paid for the military transport vessel, General McHardy, (b) the year it was purchased, (c) the number of nautical miles logged by it while in service, (d) its tonnage, (e) whether Haulbowline Industries Ltd. made the highest tender for it and (f) if he is satisfied with the amount of the tender.

The S.S. General McHardy was transferred in 1938 to my Department by the then British War Office, without payment. A total of about 350,000 nautical miles was logged by the vessel while in service with my Department from 1938 to 1970. The vessel was 100 tons gross. It was sold in February, 1971, to Haulbowline Industries Limited, Passage West, County Cork. It is not the practice of my Department to disclose details of tenders submitted or accepted. I was satisfied with the amount tendered by Haulbowline Industries Limited.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary be able to say why the Department of Defence got rid of this vessel?

It was a vessel built in 1928. It was handed over to the Irish Republic in 1938 by the British War Office for nothing. You can appreciate that a vessel built in 1928, and having regard to the number of nautical miles logged, would be coming to the end of its usefulness.

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