asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what, if any, arrangements have been made for the insurance against war risks of persons employed on Irish ships to which Emergency Powers (No. 2) Order, 1939, refers; and if no such arrangements exist, whether it is proposed to make any such arrangement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurance Against War Risks.
The Government has made a provisional arrangement to provide compensation to officers and seamen of Irish registered ships for loss of life or personal injury and for loss of effects consequent on the action of belligerents in the present war. The provisional arrangement will continue pending the ascertainment of more definite information and a detailed examination of the position of officers and seamen on ships of other countries in comparable trades.
Will the Minister say if these provisions were made at the time of the Emergency Powers (No. 2) Order?
They were made at the earliest stage at which the need for them arose; that is subsequent to the issue of the Emergency Powers Order. The Deputy may not be aware of the fact that the arrangements which have been made even in Great Britain are of a tentative and provisional character.