asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the amount of cash and other considerations paid by the purchasers in respect of the sale of the State boatyards at Baltimore, Dingle and Killybegs and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - BIM Boatyards.
36.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the book value of the BIM boatyards at Killybegs, Dingle and Baltimore on each of the last three years for which figures are available; the amount for which each was sold; the identity of the purchaser in each case; and the amount and type of financial assistance made available by any Department of State or semi-State organisation under his control in connection with the purchase of any such facility and the terms involved.
41.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the up-to-date position concerning the future of all boatyards under the aegis of BIM particularly in regard to protecting employment; if any of these yards have been sold, if so, the terms and basis of sale, the names of the purchaser and boatyards sold in each case.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 37 and 41 together.
The net book values of the BIM boatyards in the years 1976, 1977 and 1978 were as follows:
|
Year |
Killybegs |
Dingle |
Baltimore |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
1976 |
228,647 |
45,598 |
145,237 |
|
1977 |
234,025 |
56,656 |
190,833 |
|
1978 |
234,010 |
46,715 |
268,615 |
The Killybegs boatyard was purchased by Arklow Engineering Ltd., Arklow, Co. Wicklow, the Dingle boatyard by Mr. Joseph O'Boyle, The Mall, Dingle, Co. Kerry and the Baltimore boatyard by O'Driscoll Boat Building Co. Ltd., Carrigaline, Co. Cork. As a result of the sale of the boatyards large-scale redundancies, previously envisaged by BIM, have been averted.
The other matters raised by the Deputies relate to commercial transactions between private individuals and a semi-State body and it is not the practice to divulge details of such transactions. I regret, therefore, that I am not in a position to supply this information.
Will the Minister deny or confirm the rumour circulating in relation to the Baltimore boatyard that the total cash consideration which changed hands for this very valuable property and machinery was £4,000?
I can confirm that the book values I have mentioned in respect of the three yards were the minimum in regard to financial dealings. There is absolutely no truth in what Deputy Horgan has suggested is being said. The book values form the basis of the financial transactions.
I hope so.
Is the Minister saying seriously that he or any other Government Minister has the right to sell off any Government property however valuable and not disclose the price obtained for it?
And the book value.
That is not the question. The Deputy quoted a rumour at me in his first supplementary question. That rumour is not true.
The Deputy is inventing rules today.
I asked for the amount and what each was sold for.
I told the Deputy categorically that the cash price at which they were sold was at or above the book value which I have quoted. That is the assurance I am giving.
To dispel the rumour, would the Minister accept that when State property is sold—and three State properties are mentioned here, Baltimore, Dingle and Killybegs—Members of the House should get particulars of the agreements? Surely as representatives of the people we are entitled to get them?
My main concern was in regard to the jobs involved. I have secured the jobs in Baltimore, Dingle and Killybegs by my action. We are a Labour Party with a conscience. Fianna Fáil are the real Labour Party in the country concerned about jobs. The jobs have been secured despite the irresponsible antics of some people in the Labour Party.
(Interruptions.)
The jobs are being retained and there will be more jobs. Our position is that we are concerned about jobs. The jobs have been maintained and there will be more jobs because of the expansion of those boatyards. We have taken a positive step which a Labour Parliamentary Secretary refused to take for three and a half years and sat idly by while the yards deteriorated virtually to a state of extinction in which unemployment and disemployment was inevitable.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
In view of the fact that there are not many more questions to the Minister could he be allowed to conclude the questions by agreement?
It is a matter for the House.
We will be here tomorrow.
I know that. The Ceann Comhairle said by agreement of the House.
I am easy.