asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the up to date position with regard to the shipbuilding and repairing industry at Verolme Cork Dockyard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Verolme Cork Dockyard.
4.
Tenders for the disposal of the assets of VCD in various lots, with a closing date of 24 September 1985, were invited by the receiver. In response, proposals were received, inter alia, from certain local interests. In the period since then, the receiver has been having ongoing discussions with the parties concerned. In the light of these discussions it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment on the matter at this stage, except to express the hope that the parties involved will be able to resolve any problems that may exist in order to facilitate an early resumption of activity and employment.
There is a certain belief around Cobh that one of the groups who have tendered is being stymied. They wonder if it is because the Minister does not want this group to get hold of the dockyard. The group is made up of local men who are putting their own money into it and who would be of great benefit to the region. It is important that the Minister should look into this as it should not be left completely in the hands of the receiver. This has been going on for too long now, and in an area which has been decimated by unemployment it is necessary for the yard to be reopened at the earliest opportunity. I ask the Minister to use his good offices to ensure that the yard is made productive by carrying out repairs or small ship building.
I have no knowledge of any offer being stymied and I would have no part in such a procedure if that was the case. I am using my good offices to have employment restarted in the yard.
Have there been negotiations between the Minister's departmental officials and local authorities in the Cork area in relation to the acquisition of portion of Cork Dockyard? I should also like to ask if any repair contract work has been carried out in recent weeks in the yard.
I have already said, in reply to Deputy Fitzgerald's questions, that it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment on the matter at this stage except to express the hope that the parties involved would be able to resolve any problems which exist.
In view of the inadequate fishery protection around our coasts, the advent of Spain and Portugal to the EC and the fact that the dockyard could be used for repair and construction of ships for surveillance purposes, has the Minister made any representations to the EC for the purpose of either building new ships or repairing existing ships for fishery protection, which is badly needed?
These are matters for the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry and the Minister for Defence, not for me.
If Verolme is not there, will we be in the market at all?
I have already dealt with that question in response to earlier queries.