A clash of perspectives emerged at a recent meeting of the Limerick Harbour Board, where Sir Thomas I. Cleeve, D.L., presided. The meeting also saw the presence of notable members including F.C. Cleeve, J.E. Goodbody, John Hayes, J.H. Roche, J.P., Wm Holliday, and J.N. Russell. The focal point of contention revolved around a request for import data from the Limerick Industrial Association.
The spark was ignited by a letter from Mr R.P. O’Connor, the House Secretary of the Limerick Industrial Association. In the letter, the Association expressed its interest in obtaining information about imports, without any intention to infringe upon private trade activities. Instead, the Association sought a simple return outlining the nature and value of imported goods.
However, tensions arose as the Harbour Board seemed apprehensive about divulging such information. A dialogue unfolded, with the Committee conveying their disappointment at the Board’s inability to accommodate their request. They clarified that their intention was solely to gain a general understanding of the imports’ nature and worth, without demanding specific names or intervening in private trade affairs.
In an attempt to find common ground, the Committee highlighted that similar information had been shared with the Dublin and Cork Industrial Associations by the respective harbour authorities in those cities. This gesture aimed to dispel concerns about potential harm to traders.
Nonetheless, some members of the Board, including Mr Holliday, remained firm in their belief that sharing such import data could be detrimental to local traders. They argued that the information could be acquired through alternative means, such as observing shop windows and seeking information from store assistants.
The Chairman, Sir Thomas I. Cleeve, weighed in by stating that providing such information could adversely impact the port’s operations and trading environment. The discussion culminated in a decision to send a response to the Limerick Industrial Association, conveying the Board’s consideration of the matter and its conclusion that the requested information could not be disclosed.
As the debate between the Harbour Board and the Industrial Association unfolds, stakeholders are grappling with the complex balance between transparency, trade interests, and safeguarding commercial activities within the region.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 27 February 1906
