andMr. Dowling asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will consider the possibility of asking native shipping interests to combine their resources with a view to strengthening their position in this most competitive international sphere.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amalgamation of Shipping Interests.
71.
As Deputies will be aware there have already been developments of this kind in the private sector of the Irish shipping industry.
I am examining the possible scope for rationalisation and integration in the public sector of the industry, subject to the overriding aim of ensuring the provision of regular and adequate services at economic and competitive freight levels. I cannot say at this stage what the outcome of this examination is likely to be.
As the financial position of Irish Shipping has improved in the current year, will the Minister consider entry into the tanker and unit containerisation field in view of the need to keep abreast with new maritime innovations?
Irish Shipping, as the Deputy rightly says, are doing very well in their own particular field, which is rather separate from the freight containerisation field as between this country, Britain and Europe. This is probably a matter of rationalisation between CIE, B and I and British Railways. The two operations are really separate.