§ 8. Mr. FIELDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the proposal to remove the 100-ton crane from Dublin port has aroused indignation; whether the Port and Docks Board have unanimously passed a resolution protesting against its removal, as it would almost paralyse the trade of the port; and whether, under those circumstances, the order for removal will be withdrawn?
§ 47. Mr. BYRNEasked the Prime Minister if the Belfast inspector of auxiliary shipbuilding has informed the Dublin Port and Docks Board that it was his intention to requisition the 100-ton crane at the North Wall, Dublin; if he is aware that any attempt of the Government to remove the crane from Dublin to Belfast, or any other port, will he resented, and will add to the bitterness and ill-feeling which is rapidly growing in Ireland owing to the Government's attempt to crush Irish industries and their continued boycot of Ireland so far as war expenditure is concerned; if he is aware that this crane is within 100 yards of the Dublin Shipyard Company, and that there is at present one of the best sites in Ireland still available at North Wall for a Government shipbuilding yard; and if he 1160 will take steps to prevent the removal of the crane and to see that portion of the War taxation which is collected in Ireland will be spent on shipbuilding in Dublin?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAInquiries were set on foot to ascertain the capacity, lift, etc., of this crane, and also the extent to which it is at present used, with a view to its being utilised by the Government if it had been found possible to spare it from the work on which it is now engaged. There never was, and is not now, any intention to requisition this crane or remove it from its present position without the consent of the Dublin Port and Docks Board, and as it has now been ascertained that the crane is being put to full use, no further steps are being taken in the matter, and the local Admiralty Inspector has been instructed to this effect. As regards the point raised by the hon. Member for Dublin Harbour, respecting the position of Irish industries in relation to war expenditure generally, I would refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wicklow (West) on 7th November.
§ Mr. FIELDMay I as a member of the Dublin Port and Docks Board say that I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman for his reply?
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a site for shipbuilding at the present moment available in Dublin within a hundred yards of this place, and will not some of the money be spent by the Admiralty on shipbuilding there?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat shall be reported to the proper authorities. As I stated on a previous occasion, it is our duty to give every facility to get as much tonnage as is possible.