asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state how many ships owned outside this State are engaged in the regular carriage of cargoes direct between ports in the State and ports in Britain, and how many Irish-owned ships are engaged in the same trades.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shipping Cargoes.
Records which would provide the information required by the Deputy are not maintained in my Department. Such information as I have been able to obtain indicates that of 46 vessels engaged in the regular carriage of cargoes between ports in the State and ports in Britain, 24 are owned by Irish citizens or by companies incorporated in the State, and 22 are owned outside the State.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state how many Irish-owned ships and of what total tonnage were engaged at the latest available date in regular service in the coasting trades.
I assume that the Deputy has in mind traffic between Irish ports only. Records which would provide this information are not maintained in my Department. Such information as I have been able to obtain indicates that there are five Irish-owned ships of a total dead weight tonnage of 435 tons regularly engaged in this trade.
Now, would you not make a better Tánaiste than Deputy Lemass?
Deputy Dillon is welcome back to the Front Bench of Fine Gael.
Question No. 12.
He will burst them as he did before. Deputy General MacEoin has left the Front Bench.
Question No. 12.
I am sorry, Sir. I was admiring the new recruit.