asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will explain why it was necessary to send the "Muirchu" to England for repairs and overhaul; what was the estimate for the said repairs; if any estimate was sought from an Irish Free State shipyard, and what provision has been made for the protection of our coastal fisheries during the absence of the "Muirchu."
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Fishery Cruiser.
Recently, when certain repairs were needed to the fishery cruiser "Muirchu" tenders for the work were received from two firms in the Saorstát, one firm in Northern Ireland and four firms in Great Britain. Without mentioning the precise figures, I may say that the quotations by the Irish firms were, respectively, 41 per cent., 45 per cent. and 66 per cent. higher than that of the British firm with whom the contract was placed. While it is the practice to accord a reasonable measure of preference to our own shipyards in connection with such repairs or overhauls, the difference in prices on this occasion was unfortunately too great to justify the retention of the work in the Saorstát.
On the occasion in question the fishery cruiser was absent from patrol duty for a period of 25 days, and no special measures were taken during that time in view of the general powers normally reposed in the Gárda Síochána and other sca fishery officers by virtue of the Sea Fisheries Protection Act, 1933.
In view of the economic war with Great Britain, does the Minister consider it desirable or advisable to entrust the repair of our fleet to the dockyards of an enemy power?
Dr. Ryan
All these matters were taken into consideration.
What special conditions apply to ship-building and ship-repairing when we refuse to give them protection to the extent of 41 per cent., since clock-making gets protection to the extent of 75 per cent. and cutlery protection to the extent of 100 per cent., while several other minor matters are protected by Customs duties ranging from 75 per cent. to 100 per cent.?
Dr. Ryan
That is all nonsense.
Does the Minister deny that while he refuses protection to the extent of 41 per cent. to ship-building he demands 75 per cent. protection for clock assemblers and 100 per cent. protection for cutlery assemblers?
Dr. Ryan
Surely the Deputy sees the difference.
Will the Minister explain to the House what the difference is?
Dr. Ryan
It is too elementary.
He cannot explain it to the House.
How long is it expected that this boat will be out of commission?
Dr. Ryan
She has already come back.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the "Muirchu" has been sent to Great Britain to be repaired and overhauled; what will this work cost; and if he will state why the work is not being executed in Ireland.
Dr. Ryan
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I have just given to another question addressed to me on the same subject.