asked the Minister for Transport and Power the possible number of trips to Whiddy Island that can be carried out by Universe Ireland per year; the tonnage of oil carried by this vessel; whether the Gulf Oil Company in its negotiations with the Government indicated that the vessel would run exclusively to Whiddv Island; and what other ports in the British Isles can accommodate her.

13.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power the depth of water available at Whiddy Island for mammoth talkers; and the depths of water available at other principal oilimporting ports in the British Isles.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.

I am informed by the Gulf Oil Company that the Universe Ireland will operate exclusively to Whiddy Island and is expected to make 6 trips in the year. So far as I am aware this vessel could not, at present, be accommodated fully laden at any port in Britain or Ireland, if that is what the Deputy means by the British Isles.

That is what I mean.

The minimum depth of water available at Whiddy is 100 feet. I am not in a position to give particulars of the depth of water available at ports in Britain.

There is the question of the tonnage of oil carried.

This vessel has a capacity of 312,000 tons of crude oil. The amount carried is an average of 300,000 tons. It varies with the seasons of the year, in accordance with the international convention on load lines.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary not inserted in his answer, designedly for the purpose of allaying the anxiety of Members of the House, the words "fully laden"? Is he not aware that the chairman of the Gulf Oil Company announced in public that he proposed to use the ship, when it suited him, at two-thirds capacity for British and other European ports and that it was adaptable for that use if and when the company thought it was to their advantage so to use it?

We are at cross purposes. I have stated that as far as I am aware this vessel could not, at present, be accommodated fully laden at any port in Britain or Ireland.

But it can be two-thirds laden and the chairman of the company said it was his firm intention so to use it.

This tanker needs a clearance of 90 feet.

Fully laden.

We have a clearance of 100 feet.

Two-thirds laden for continental purposes.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary confirm or deny that this ship is operating under a flag of convenience?

This question does not arise.

It is a separate question.

It is shameful.

I have been aware for some years that the Fine Gael Party are the Commonwealth Party in this House but I have never been aware that I was a Member of a Parliament in a British Island.

Who the hell signed the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Agreement?

Are we to be allowed to carry on this outdated slogan of their's that this is a part of the British Isles?

You did nothing about it during the past 40 years.

Is it in order for Deputy Molloy to insinuate that I am some sort of a West Briton because I asked a simple question on the draught of a vessel and whether the vessel can go to other ports of the British Isles?

We are not in the British Isles.

We are not in the British Isles.

I do not accept that Deputy Molloy is within the Rules of Order or that he is entitled to insult me. You should ask him to withdraw that remark.

The Chair is not asking Deputy Molloy to withdraw for the reason that these are political references.

Vintage 1926.

We must suffer on for a few months.