asked the Minister for Transport and Power the total employment in the B and I, line and the total tonnage when the company was taken over by the State; the employment and shipping tonnage now; and if there are any foreign vessels chartered by the company.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - B and I Line.
7.
The gross registered tonnage of the B and I Company's fleet at the time of the take over by the State was 17,545 tons. The number employed was 1,270. The company had seven foreign vessels on long term charter and 11 foreign vessels on short term charter.
The gross registered tonnage of the company's present fleet is 11,855 tons. Two new car ferry vessels will shortly be added to the fleet and one vessel will be sold. The fleet will then amount to about 16,000 tons gross. The number employed at present is 1,050. The company have five foreign vessels on long term charter and three foreign vessels on short term charter.
Has there been a little increase in the number employed?
A decrease.
Would the Taoiseach say if all those who are employed now are Irish nationals?
I have not got that, but I assume they are.
The Parliamentary Secretary is surely aware of the fact that, when the State took over the B and I, the first thing they did was to switch over to three German vessels and the Irish crews were laid off?
I am certainly not so aware.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary check the facts?