asked the Minister for the Marine the total number of (a) Irish registered passenger vessels and (b) Irish registered cargo vessels; the total passenger and tonnage capacity respectively; the estimated proportion of Irish shipping needs which could be met by the present Irish fleet in the event of an emergency; the steps which are being taken to develop an Irish fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Irish Fleet.
19.
There are seven Irish registered passenger vessels capable of carrying in total about 6,000 passengers, and 61 Irish registered cargo vessels. The cargo carrying capacity of all the vessels is roughly 152,000 tonnes.
It is possible that in the event of an emergency, Irish owned tonnage would fall short of what would be required as minimum requirements. The question of increasing Ireland's merchant fleet has already been addressed by the package of financial incentives introduced last year. These included a reduction in the rate of corporation tax, access to the business expansion scheme and the enactment in late 1987 of the Shipping Investment Grants Bill.
I expect that the proposed new shipping advisory committee will also consider and make recommendations on the question of maintaining a minimum strategic deep sea fleet.