JOHN de COURCY IRELAND
Madam, - I am grateful to M.K. O'Doherty (October 31st) for informing us that at Sean Lemass's instigation (as the appropriate Minister) Irish Shipping Ltd did ask Harland & Wolff to build ships for the renewal of its fleet after the war ended in 1945, and was refused.
I cannot understand why this news was not publicised widely. At least a powerful movement could have been started in both parts of the country together to get the company to change its mind, and show what value the association between Irish Shipping and Harland & Wolff could have brought to all our people.
Support for such a movement would have been just the kind of activity that would have delighted the recently formed Maritime Institute of Ireland, of which I had been a member almost since the day of its formation. The institute's members would have responded readily to a call to act as the circumstances seemed to dictate.
Moreover, by 1945 a new Labour government had come to power in England which was supposed to be friendly to us and it could have put decisive pressure on the Belfast firm. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN de COURCY IRELAND
Dalkey, Co Dublin.