Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1939 > Committee of Public Accounts > Report - Appropriation Accounts 1936 - 1937

APPENDIX III.

RECEIPT OF £2,500 BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC WORKS FROM OUTGOING TENANTS AT HAULBOWLINE DOCKYARD IN SATISFACTION OF CLAIMS UNDER THE TENANTS’ LEASE.

In August, 1929, a Danish firm—Messrs. Petersen and Albeck—were allowed into possession of Haulbowline Dockyard as a matter of urgency to arrange for the salvage of the S.S. Celtic—a wreck which finally collapsed before a formal lease to this firm had been completed. A new company known as Haulbowline Industries, Ltd., of which Messrs. Petersen and Albeck became Directors, was then formed to take over the Dockyard, and a lease to this Company for 99 years was duly executed, with provisions for termination at certain periods and with maintenance clauses providing that the tenants were liable to maintain the buildings, plant, etc., on the leased area in as good repair, order and condition as when their predecessors went into possession in August, 1929.

In 1936, Haulbowline Industries, Ltd., gave notice of their intention to surrender possession of the Dockyard and their liability under the maintenance clauses—which were under constant observation and had been the subject of frequent communications between the Commissioners and the Company—was then the subject of discussion; the Company offering the sum of £1,000 in final settlement.

The Commissioners dealt with the question of liability by reference to the terms of the lease, and throughout the discussions they were advised by their technical officers. After the customary negotiations, in the course of which all relevant circumstances were taken into account, an agreed amount of £2,500 was finally accepted as the utmost that could be reasonably demanded from the Company in settlement of their liability.

Arrangements were made for the disposal of plant at Haulbowline after Haulbowline Industries, Ltd., took over possession. The plant was disposed of in three different ways, viz.:—

(1) By sale to the Company for cash;

(2) By lease to the Company for the purposes of their business;

(3) By sale by public auction.

The plant leased to the Company was recovered before they finally gave up possession in 1936.

The Commissioners have no knowledge of any estimates being invited or received for the reconditioning of the Dockyard. The Commissioners did not invite any such tenders and no other body had any authority to do so.

Office of Public Works.

18th June, 1938.