Batt O'Keeffe
Question:30 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine if Damen Dockyard has sold all the shipbuilding capability of the Dockyard in Cobh, County Cork. [18022/95]
Written Answers. - Cobh (Cork) Dockyard.
Batt O'Keeffe
Question:76 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine if a European licence to build ships is currently held by Damen Dockyard in Cobh, County Cork. [18021/95]
Batt O'Keeffe
Question:77 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine the number of people employed by Damen at the Cobh Dockyard, County Cork. [18019/95]
Batt O'Keeffe
Question:78 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine if he will confirm that asset stripping is going ahead at the Damen Dockyard in Cobh, County Cork; and if this is contrary to the agreement between Damen and the Government. [18017/95]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 30, 76 and 78 together. I am advised that Cork Dockyard Ltd. has not sold the shipbuilding capability, the shipbuilding halls or the slipway at the dockyard at Cobh, County Cork.
I am advised that the agreement for sale of the Verolme Cork Dockyard to Cork Dockyard Ltd., included an anti-asset stripping clause. The Minister for Finance and ICC Bank hold responsibility for the contract of sale. Enforcement of the anti-asset stripping clause is a matter between ICC and the company.
I am advised that Cork Dockyard Ltd. has a permanent staff of three at present. The company does not directly employ any blue collar workforce. Instead all the ship repair work is carried out by subcontractors using casual labour. I am further advised that over the past six months the average number of people employed at the dockyard on ship repair (including the aforementioned contract casual staff and the permanent staff) amounted to approximately 50.
The dockyard facility at Cobh, County Cork is the sole designated shipyard facility in the State for the purposes of the EU Seventh Directive on aid to shipbuilding and is recognised as such by the European Commission.