asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been called to reports in the Press on December 24th, 1926, to the effect that orders for locomotives and coaches have been placed with the Sentinel Wagon Works, Ltd., Shrewsbury, by the Great Southern Railways Company; whether, in view of the accommodation existing at the Inchicore and Broadstone Works for the manufacture of railway rolling stock, and of the fact that a large number of skilled workers have been recently disemployed, and that those at present employed at these works are working short time, he can state the reasons for the placing of such orders outside the Saorstát, and if it is intended to take any steps by the introduction of legislation or otherwise to prevent the importation of such railway rolling stock as can be manufactured at these works.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - IMPORTATION OF RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK.
I am informed by the Great Southern Railways Company that they have ordered 2 locomotives and 4 combined coaches from the Sentinel Wagon Works, Limited. These are specialised types of vehicles and are being introduced as an experiment. It would not be reasonable to expect the Company to build these vehicles which are of a proprietary nature, on their first introduction into this country.
I would not feel justified in recommending legislation such as is proposed in the question without clear evidence that rolling stock was being imported in unreasonable quantities of a type which could readily be built in the country at a comparable price.
TOMAS MAC EOIN
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the Great Southern Railway Company is contemplating the purchase of about 1,000 wagon wheels from the Continent of Europe; that about 400 of these wheels have already arrived from Belgium; whether he is also aware that the Inchicore Works are well equipped for turning out wagon wheels, and that the men in this shop at Inchicore are on short time, working only four days per week, and whether, in these circumstances, he will make representations to the Railway Company with a view to having the work in question carried out at Inchicore.
I am informed by the Great Southern Railways Company that it has placed an order for wagon wheels with a Continental firm, the reason given being that in its present financial position the Company is forced to adopt all reasonable economies. It is stated that the price to be paid for these wheels is about one-half of what it would cost to make them at Inchicore. The Company further states that by a decision of the Industrial Courts (No. 728), dated 8th July, 1922, the wages of railway shopmen in Great Britain were substantially reduced, while no corresponding reduction has been made in the Saorstát and represents that this militates against work of this nature being performed in the Company's own shops.
Will the Minister say what relation railway wages in Great Britain have to the making of wagon wheels for Ireland on the continent?
They indicate the comparable cost of making these things in Ireland.
Will the Minister say what is the effect of the difference in currency on prices, and if that is not the factor that weighs with the Company in purchasing these things abroad?
I am in this position in regard to questions touching on the Great Southern Railways Company: I simply apply to them for information and if it is not thought that that is a desirable course, a better one might be not to put the questions down.
I ask the Minister to compare the answers to questions 11 and 12 and say how they are consistent.
I would like the inconsistency pointed out at this moment.
Not at this moment.