asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of foreigners employed as ships crews by Irish Shipping, Limited, and further if he is aware that there are mates, engineers, firemen and A.B.s of Irish nationality unemployed, and if he will take steps to see that all ships controlled by Irish Shipping, Limited, will in future be manned by 100 per cent. Irish crews.

I am not in a position to give the number of seamen of other than Irish nationality employed on the vessels of Irish Shipping, Limited, nor to give the undertaking asked for in the question.

It may be taken, however, that the managing companies are concerned to afford the utmost employment to suitable competent Irish nationals, and that the employment of persons of other nationalities is relatively small.

Is it a fact that the recruitment and appointment of the staffs in the employment of Irish Shipping, Limited, are made by the managers of the constituent companies?

That is true.

Will the Minister consider the advisability of setting up a pool register for the purpose of inviting Irish nationals to make application and have their names inserted on the register so as to guide the appropriate authorities in the employment of Irish nationals where they are suitable?

That is a rather wide subject. The matter is one for the companies and not for me. The general question of the organisation and the recruitment of labour for a service of this kind is being considered by the Government. The desirability of having a seamen's pool was discussed with the unions concerned some time ago. I am not at all sure that the idea was generally welcomed, but arrangements are being made by Irish Shipping, Ltd., to improve the methods of recruiting seamen for their ships.

While these matters are being considered, will the Minister not say that it is the duty of the board of Irish Shipping, Ltd., to make these appointments, and not leave that matter in the hands of the managers of the constituent companies?

It is the duty of the managers of the shipping companies to recruit the crews.

Has the Minister received any complaint from those engaged on the engineering staffs with regard to those being employed?

The main difficulty is to get a sufficient number for the engineering staffs.

That is not my information, and I should like the Minister to give some attention to that matter.

In view of the fact that so much of the taxpayers' money is involved, should not the appointment of members of the staff devolve on the board of Irish Shipping, Ltd.?

There is not one penny of the taxpayers' money involved.

Is there not State guaranteed money involved in this company?

There is none of the taxpayers' money involved. The ships are being managed by the constituent companies.

Is there not something like £2,000,000 involved?

Not a penny of the taxpayers' money.