Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 May 1957

Vol. 161 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Shipping.

Mr. Sweetman

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) in respect of each vessel owned by Irish Shipping, Limited, the name, cost, date of construction, tonnage, classification and present use, and (2) in respect of all contracts placed for further vessels the cost, probable date of delivery, and tonnage and classification, (3) if any additional purchases have been sanctioned, the approximate estimated cost, the date on which it is intended to place a contract, and the tonnage and classification of each such vessel, and (4) the amount that will be required in 1957/58 and each subsequent financial year to finance such programmes.

Mr. S. Lemass

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the required particulars except those relating to the cost of individual vessels. Irish Shipping Ltd. have informed me that it would be contrary to normal commercial practice to furnish particulars of the cost of individual vessels and the company consider that the publication of such information might be prejudicial to them.

The total cost of the vessels in commission was £6,500,000. The estimated cost of vessels on order is a further £6,500,000. No additional purchases have been arranged.

The capital requirements of Irish Shipping Ltd. for the current financial year will be indicated by the Minister for Finance when introducing his Budget. The company's requirements for future years cannot be stated now.

The following is the statement:—

IRISH SHIPPING LTD.

I. PRESENT FLEET.

Name of vessel	Date of Construction	Tonnage	Classification	Present Use
Net	Gross	dead weight
Irish Pine	December, 1948	2,740	5,048	7,620	Deep Sea Dry Cargo	The deep sea dry cargo vessels are engaged either on the North Atlantic trade or on charter in various parts of the world.
Irish Cedar	January, 1949	3,065	5,627	8,700	,,
Irish Oak	July, 1949	2,803	5,077	7,560	,,
Irish Plane	December, 1949	2,988	5,368	8,870	,,
Irish Hazel	March, 1950	2,987	5,366	8,840	,,
Irish Heather	August, 1952	527	1,057	1,397	Collier
Irish Elm	December, 1953	3,209	5,828	8,920	Deep Sea Dry Cargo
Irish Holly	May, 1954	1,381	2,940	3,350	Coastal Tanker	The Coastal Dry Cargo vessels and the colliers are engaged on voyage or time charters.
Irish Fern	December, 1954	522	1,113	1,374	Collier
Irish Rose	February, 1956	782	1,749	1,970	Coastal Dry Cargo
Irish Larch	October, 1956	3,302	6,217	9,770	Deep Sea Dry Cargo
Irish Poplar	December, 1956	4,576	8,023	10,051	,,
Irish Fir	December, 1956	743	1,752	1,941	Coastal Dry Cargo	The Coastal tanker is engaged on a time Charter.
Irish Willow	January, 1957	746	1,743	1,943	,,
Irish Maple	January, 1957		6,217	9,700	Deep Sea Dry Cargo

II. VESSELS ON ORDER.

Estimated Delivery Date	Estimated Tonnage	Classification
Net	gross	dead weight
September, 1957	4,576	8,023	10,051	Deep Sea Dry Cargo
September, 1957	4,700	8,300	10,550	,,
January, 1958	4,700	8,300	10,550	,,
January, 1958	6,000	12,000	18,000	Deep Sea Tanker.
December, 1960	6,000	12,000	18,000	,,

Mr. Sweetman

Would the Minister feel able to divide the total cost between new and secondhand ships, without giving individual items?

Mr. S. Lemass

They are all new ships.

Mr. Sweetman

Some were bought earlier that were not new. Have they all been sold?

Mr. S. Lemass

Oh, yes. All the ships now are ships that were built for the Irish shipping fleet.

Mr. Sweetman

Is the Minister sure?

Mr. S. Lemass

Yes.

Mr. Sweetman

I am not so sure. I think they have two.