asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether CIE will in future be in a position to manufacture all its rolling stock requirements at Inchicore, Dublin; if not, why, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Rolling Stock.
23.
It is convenient to refer to rail rolling stock under three headings—motive power units, carriage and wagons.
I am informed by CIE that any future requirement which the board may have for motive power units is not likely to be great and that it would not be practicable to manufacture them at Inchicore.
CIE have been unable for the past few years to undertake the manufacture of railway carriages at Inchicore because of shortages of skilled craftsmen. The contract which has recently been placed with a British firm will meet the board's anticipated carriage requirements for main line rolling stock for the next few years. As I indicated in my reply to previous questions on this subject by the Deputy, negotiations are taking place with the trade unions to see how staff shortages might be overcome, and if the position in that respect eases the board will endeavour to negotiate with the British supplier to have a proportion of the work carried out at Inchicore. When further carriage replacements become necessary the possibility of manufacturing them at Inchicore will depend on the availability of skilled labour and the economics of the project.
CIE normally manufacture their own wagons but, because of shortages of skilled staff, it is at present necessary to arrange for certain components to be fabricated by Irish contractors. Where special units are required in small quantities it may be more economic to purchase these from firms specialising in the manufacture of such units, but, subject to this proviso and the availability of skilled staff, it is CIE's intention to continue the manufacture of wagons in the board's own workshops.