asked the Minister for Transport when work will commence on the new ICL vessel at Verolme dockyard, County Cork.
14.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Verolme Dockyard.
13.
asked the Minister for Transport if the Verolme Dockyard, Cork, have been instructed to commence the building of a new car ferry for Irish Shipping.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
Verolme dockyard are at present engaged in the construction of a car ferry vessel for the B and I Company which is due for completion next year. The question of further orders for the dockyard is at present being considered by the Government, taking into account the interests of Irish Continental Line and other possible sources of orders.
Does the Minister know that there were promises made by a Government Minister last year that Irish Shipping, which is Irish Continental Line, would give an order almost immediately for a further car ferry to be built at Verolme dockyard?
I am not so aware.
The Minister may take my word for it that it was given by the present Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
Not being familiar with the terms of the statement made by the Minister I find it difficult to comment on it. I can assure the Deputy that the Government are concerned and are taking the necessary steps.
Is the Minister aware that the present car ferry is now out of the shed in the dockyard and that there is no work there at present?
I am aware that the vessel under construction is at an advanced stage.
What is the Minister doing to urgently provide the dockyard with orders to ensure there will be no redundancies after the summer?
The Department and Government are taking every step——
What is the——
Let the Minister answer.
I am sorry.
Question No. 15.
The Government are aware of what the Deputy is suggesting and are concerned to provide orders for Verolme dockyard.
Surely the Minister is aware, and must have it in his brief, that a similar guarantee was given this time last year that a car ferry for Irish Shipping plus two boats for the Irish Navy would be given. What has been done to fulfil that promise and give those orders?
The matter is under active consideration by the Government. The Deputy is correct when he states that two boats for the Naval Service are contemplated but considerable work has to be done on the formulation of plans. The vessels involved are very sophisticated and require considerable planning. The Government are conscious of the need to provide orders for the dockyard and have the matter under active consideration.
Is the Minister aware that car ferries are at present under construction at the dockyard and, therefore, the technology exists there? The dockyard has already built two fishery protection vessels and, therefore, no further planning is necessary. Twelve months ago it was stated that consultation and consideration as to whether the orders should be placed or not was completed. We were told then that the Government decided that the orders should be given. Where are the orders?
I am aware of what the Deputy has stated. I was referring to the very sophisticated naval vessels which require considerable preparatory work.
I have told the Minister that two of them have already been built there. The preparatory work has been completed.
I should like to put the Deputy's mind at rest by telling him that the Government are conscious of the problem.
That will not put my mind at rest. My mind would be at rest if I was given information about the orders.