OK, Last time I looked, Ireland(north and south) was an Island, with No bridge or tunnel attaching it to the rest of Europe.
Why then Is the Irish Marine industry on the decline?
Irish Ferries are in the process of sacking all their Irish Workers, and replacing them with Latvian Crew. This is only if the Trade unions lie down and let it the Management do whatever they want. The Government it seems, is apathetic. Currently all its ships are confined to port. Consequentially there are no Irish Flag ships operating the Irish Sea ferry route. This is a sad end for a company which cut its teeth dodging U-Boats during the Emergency(sometimes unsuccessfully).
B&I line and Irish Continental line merged in the Late 80s to become Irish ferries, And Irish Continental line were the state owned relic of Irish Shipping, which for a time carried vast amounts of freight worldwide, under an Irish Flag. But in the 80s, the recession Government could not support the company, and in scenes being repeated this week, crews found themselves stranded on their ships in foreign ports.
Currently, the last Commercial Shipping company with an Irish Flag are Tyrrells,of Arklow with their distinctive green Hulls and White superstructure. However they are being penalised by the irish Government, and taxed in a way which they believe is uncompetitive. Some of their vessels already fly foreign flags, though their crew for the most part remain Irish. Bell of Waterford went to the Wall long ago, while my former employer, Union transport, Moved their operation to Kent in the Late 80s, and currently fly flags which are unrecognisable to most. Emerald used to operate Refrigerated cargo under an irish Flag, but refrigerated Containerisation have for the most part rendered this mode of shipping obsolete, for all but the Odd Banana boat.
All that is left on the Irish register are trawlers, and EU regulations mean that they too are an ever diminishing number.
But it must be asked. As an Island nation, how do we expect to get on or off the Island, if our airports are overcrowded? How do we expect to continue to import and export goods, to keep industry here alive, and food on our tables that is not potatoes and bacon?
Bertie recently proudly announced that Dublin did not need large trucks driving through the city. Has he the top secret design for a teleporter which will miraculously beam foreign produce from the factories overseas to the shelves of the many shops in the city centre?
Irish Martime Industry.
1922-2006 RIP?
Why then Is the Irish Marine industry on the decline?
Irish Ferries are in the process of sacking all their Irish Workers, and replacing them with Latvian Crew. This is only if the Trade unions lie down and let it the Management do whatever they want. The Government it seems, is apathetic. Currently all its ships are confined to port. Consequentially there are no Irish Flag ships operating the Irish Sea ferry route. This is a sad end for a company which cut its teeth dodging U-Boats during the Emergency(sometimes unsuccessfully).
B&I line and Irish Continental line merged in the Late 80s to become Irish ferries, And Irish Continental line were the state owned relic of Irish Shipping, which for a time carried vast amounts of freight worldwide, under an Irish Flag. But in the 80s, the recession Government could not support the company, and in scenes being repeated this week, crews found themselves stranded on their ships in foreign ports.
Currently, the last Commercial Shipping company with an Irish Flag are Tyrrells,of Arklow with their distinctive green Hulls and White superstructure. However they are being penalised by the irish Government, and taxed in a way which they believe is uncompetitive. Some of their vessels already fly foreign flags, though their crew for the most part remain Irish. Bell of Waterford went to the Wall long ago, while my former employer, Union transport, Moved their operation to Kent in the Late 80s, and currently fly flags which are unrecognisable to most. Emerald used to operate Refrigerated cargo under an irish Flag, but refrigerated Containerisation have for the most part rendered this mode of shipping obsolete, for all but the Odd Banana boat.
All that is left on the Irish register are trawlers, and EU regulations mean that they too are an ever diminishing number.
But it must be asked. As an Island nation, how do we expect to get on or off the Island, if our airports are overcrowded? How do we expect to continue to import and export goods, to keep industry here alive, and food on our tables that is not potatoes and bacon?
Bertie recently proudly announced that Dublin did not need large trucks driving through the city. Has he the top secret design for a teleporter which will miraculously beam foreign produce from the factories overseas to the shelves of the many shops in the city centre?
Irish Martime Industry.
1922-2006 RIP?
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