asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department's present method of calculating the age of a ship, that is, from the date of laying the keel, is inhibiting the expansion of the Irish merchant marine; if he will adopt the year of manufacture of a ship as the basis for calculation; and, in view of the urgency in this regard, if he will ensure that a decision in the matter is published before the end of the year.

35.

asked the Minister for the Marine whether the purchase of a 12,000 dwt ship by a company (details supplied) out of its own resources, under an Irish flag and with an Irish crew, as is proposed in representations to him by that company, would be a significant addition to the Irish merchant fleet and would be of strategic value to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 35 together.

I am reviewing whether there are acceptable options other than the date of keel laying as a means of calculating the age of a ship. I hope to have that review completed before the end of the year.

The registration under the Irish flag of a ship of the order of 12,000 deadweight tons would result in an increase of more than 8 per cent in the total Irish registered tonnage and would, therefore, be a significant addition to the Irish fleet.

I thank the Minister for what I detect to be a positive response to my questions. Do I take it that the Minister has satisfied himself that there is a possibility that the date of manufacture does not have to be the date of the laying of the keel? I am sure the Minister will appreciate that there can be quite a time gap between the laying of the keel and the completion of the ship. In this case it would be a very positive gesture for the Irish fleet if a change in the regulations could be made.

The Deputy may take it as a positive response. As I stated in my reply I hope this review will be completed in a few weeks' time.