asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he received representations from the Cobh Urban District Council and/or other bodies as to the taking over of Rushbrooke Docks in Cork Harbour for the docking and repair of ships to be acquired by Irish Shipping Co., Ltd.; also if he will state what action he proposes taking in regard to the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rushbrooke (County Cork) Dockyard.
I have received representations from the Cobh Urban Council as to the desirability of the reopening of Rushbrooke Docks for the repair of ships. My Department has, over a long period, been exploring the possibility of having this dockyard reopened, but so far without success. The companies operating the dockyard in earlier years found it impossible to continue working without severe loss, and no company since that date has been prepared to undertake the responsibility of restarting work. Since the war broke out, renewed efforts have been made to have the dockyard reopened and are being continued by my Department, and I shall see that these efforts are continued. At the moment, I can make no more definite statement as to the future possibilities.