asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that artificial manures and the raw materials therefor are all imported here on foreign ships, and covered by foreign insurance; and if he will have the necessary steps taken to ensure that Irish-owned ships and insurance companies get at least portion of this freightage and insurance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Artificial Manures and Grain: Shipping and Insurance.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the greater quantity of grain imported into this country is imported on foreign ships, and covered by foreign insurance; and whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that Irish-owned ships and insurance companies get an opportunity of competing for this freight and insurance.
Mr. Lemass
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
The carriage and insurance of cargoes are matters for arrangement between the commercial interests concerned.
My information is that the greater part of our imports of grain is carried in Irish ships and is covered by Irish insurance. As artificial manures and the raw materials therefor are imported almost entirely by private interests the position in respect of such imports is not readily ascertainable though I am aware that at least one Irish ship has been regularly engaged in this trade.
While I would welcome the greatest possible use by our importers and exporters of Irish-owned ships and of insurance facilities provided by Irish companies I do not think it is desirable to introduce compulsory measures to achieve this.