Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1947 > Committee of Public Accounts > Report - Appropriation Accounts 1945 - 1946

APPENDIX XI.

CANAL BARGES, THEIR PURPOSE, USE AND DISPOSAL.

Twenty-nine wooden horse-drawn canal barges were built during 1942-44 at a total cost of £30,227 11s. 5d. The life of the vessels was estimated at six years. The barges were built for the purpose of increasing transport facilities for turf and other heavy traffics, at a time when a complete stoppage of oil supplies appeared to be imminent. The barges were operated by private traders on a hireage basis. The Grand Canal Company, who acted as the Minister’s agents for the hiring of the vessels, made no charge for their services. Total receipts from hireage amounted to £3,527 10s. 10d. Expenditure on maintenance was £96 12s. 0d. The improvement in oil supplies resulted in the cessation of the demand for horse-drawn barges. In 1946 two lots each of three barges were advertised for sale, separately or in lots, at different times in four daily and four provincial papers, and over sixty persons were circularised. Four tenders were received in response to the first, and three to the second advertisement. Only three barges were sold as a result of these advertisements.

The barges were subsequently advertised as scrap. All were in very bad condition, and a number were waterlogged in James’s Street Harbour and were virtually unsaleable. The fuel crisis in the beginning of 1947 resulted in the sale of all remaining barges for breaking up as fuel. The total amount realised for the sale of all the barges was £683 10s. All were sold in the financial year 1946-47.

Department of Industry and Commerce.

19ú Meitheamh, 1947.