Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1925

Vol. 4 No. 4

SEANAD IN COMMITTEE. - WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY—(FOR NAVIGATION AND COMMERCIAL PURPOSES).

Mr. HAUGHTON

I beg to move:—

"That having regard to the importance of wireless telegraphy both for navigation and for commercial purposes, the Seanad requests the Executive Council and the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs and for Industry and Commerce, to establish wireless direction finding stations on the South Irish coast."

This subject has been brought very prominently before the minds of the people of the country in the South of Ireland by the dreadful disaster that happened a few weeks ago off the coast of the County Cork in the loss of the "Cardiff Hall," when every life on board was sacrificed. During the last year there has been a great increase in wireless telegraphy not only throughout the British Isles but throughout the world. Of course, the main object in the establishment of these stations as suggested is to increase the safety of navigation and to minimise the risks and to reduce the loss of life caused by accident.

There is not a single direction finding station in the Irish Free State. Wireless broadcasting stations exist, but no direction finding stations, which would be invaluable to navigation coming across the ocean. These stations have been found invaluable off the coast of America in communicating with ships and signalling from shore, giving the exact position of the vessel in a fog or in other case of danger. In view of the interest that some Senators so patriotically take in the tourist traffic, and having regard to the grist it would bring to the mill and prosperity to the country, I am sure the Seanad will cordially agree with the sentiments expressed in the resolution. We have reason to believe that the Postal Department, which is presided over by my friend, the senior member for Cork, Deputy J.J. Walsh, is worked with great efficiency at the present time, and the installation of such a station, controlled by the Government, off the south coast of Ireland would be a valuable asset.

Mr. J.C. LOVE

I second the resolution. I am certain that Senator Haughton is actuated by the best motives and that we all agree with him in bringing this forward. Some time ago I waited on the Postmaster-General about the same thing and he told me, or left me under the impression, that it was a matter for adjustment between the British authorities and the Irish Government, and that there was a certain clause in the Treaty about it. He led me to believe that this station would be very soon established, or was in contemplation at Haulbowline. Senator Haughton referred to the lamentable loss of the "Cardiff Hall." I do not know if that vessel was lost through lack of wireless. I do not know if she had wireless, but all ships of the kind under the Board of Trade regulations must have it. If she had wireless the destroyer at Cobh would have picked up her signals. It was very bad weather at the time. The vessel was bound for Cork and, unfortunately, she missed the harbour and became a total wreck. The wireless question is, I think, at present engaging the attention of the Postmaster-General, and I am sure what has occurred in the Seanad will help to expedite it. It will be recollected that I raised a question in the Seanad about coast watching before the Christmas holidays. Direction finding would be one of the things included in coast watching. At the time the President gave us to understand that three of the Ministries were engaged in preparing some scheme that would be effective and economical.

Motion put and agreed to.

The Seanad adjourned at 6.45 p.m. until 3 o'clock on January 29th.