asked the Minister for Finance if he will state with reference to the harbour dredgers owned by the State (a) the date on which they were built, (b) when they are expected to reach the end of their operational life and (c) what steps are being taken to replace them with modern dredgers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Harbour Dredgers.
17.
Of the two harbour dredgers owned by the State, one was built in 1904 and the other in 1908. Both vessels have been well maintained by regular overhauls and are fully operational but their useful life is now limited. Examination of the question of replacement has already been initiated but at this stage I am not in a position to say when a decision is likely to be taken.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to state how many dredgers have been chartered from other countries for work here?
That is a separate question. As far as I know, we have only two. As the Deputy is aware, the state have taken responsibility for such harbours as Castletownbere and Killybegs and these now come into State care.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that if there was a better standard of maintenance, the dredgers could be kept in good operational service for many years?
I have made it clear in my answer that the two dredgers have been very well maintained. They are fully operational and are used mainly for maintenance at Dún Laoghaire and Howth harbours, for pile-driving, lifting of obstructions, maintenance of moorings and so on. In fact, one of the vessels is hired out by us to other local harbour authorities. They are fully operational. There is no problem yet.
I have seen machinery belonging to the Office of Public Works used on the Moy Drainage which had not been properly maintained and neither have the dredgers to which the Parliamentary Secretary referred.
We have new machinery