asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the present position regarding the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry in Dublin; and if there are any plans on hand to attract more work to the existing yards there.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Dublin Shipbuilding Industry.
61.
The Deputy is no doubt aware that for economic reasons connected with intense competition, the building of new ships has been discontinued for some time in Dublin. The reduction, in recent years, in the number of Irish-owned ships using the Port of Dublin has, in turn, seriously reduced the volume of ship-repair work available.
I am aware that the feasibility of reorganising and modernising the main Dublin shipyard to the extent necessary to enable it to compete successfully for new orders, is under active examination by its owners. They are fully aware that I share their concern for the rehabilitation of the shipyard and they are assured of my full support for any workable proposals that can be formulated.
Recent short-term measures to safeguard employment in the yard include the successful diversification of the yard's activities into industrial engineering work.