asked the Minister for Defence if it is the intention of his Department to dredge alongside the Naval Pier of Cobh, and at the entrance to Haulbowline; whether for this work the dredger Gullber has been hired from the Wexford Harbour Commissioners; and whether it is proposed to be manned by personnel of the Marine Service; and whether, in view of the fact that the Cork Harbour Commissioners at a recent meeting unanimously adopted a resolution protesting against the employment of Marine Service personnel on such work, and requesting that civilian labour only be employed, he will accede to the request of the commissioners and thus, to some extent, help to relieve distress amongst the unemployed civil population in Cork City and South-East Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dredging in Cork Harbour.
The answers to the first two parts of the Deputy's question are in the affirmative. Having regard to the nature of the work and to the fact that suitably qualified personnel are available in the Marine Service, the employment of civilian labour on this occasion cannot be agreed to.
Is the Minister aware of the number of people who are unemployed in Rushbrooke and Haulbowline, people who are quite capable of this work? Is he also aware of the numbers of unemployed at Passage and Cobh? These people ought to get some consideration.