Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ferry Services to non-Gaeltacht Islands.
- Inishbofin ferry grant aid 4 speeches
Molloy sought State aid for a replacement ferry, citing passenger limits and the operator’s need to meet marine regulations. MacSharry said no grant scheme existed and the State could not afford new expenditure.
Robert Molloy, Raymond MacSharry
- Proposed Galway helicopter station 6 speeches
Desmond asked whether the proposed Galway helicopter station had been cancelled and cited its estimated Exchequer cost; the Chair ruled the matter outside the ferry question, and no substantive answer followed.
Barry Desmond, Seán Treacy, Raymond MacSharry, Jim O'Keeffe
- Inishbofin ferry election promises 2 speeches
Molloy lamented the lack of help despite election promises, and O’Malley predicted a different result in the next term.
Robert Molloy, Desmond J. O'Malley
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that there is no scheme in operation in any Department to grant aid ferry services to non-Gaeltacht islands; if he will rectify this matter and approve grant aid towards the cost of a new ferry boat for Inishbofin, County Galway which is urgently required.
Comment on this
I am aware that no scheme exists to grant-aid ferry services to non-Gaeltacht islands. In view of the serious state of the public finances, I regret that I am not in a position to start introducing new schemes of public expenditure to finance ferry services generally or a particular service for Inishbofin, County Galway.
Comment on this
That is very disappointing news. Is the Minister aware that the only ferryboat to Inisbofin, because of Department of Communications transport regulations, is restricted in the number of passengers it can carry, that the operator was instructed — or forced — to acquire a vessel which would comply with the marine regulations, that to do so it was necessary for him to purchase a new boat, that the acquisition of the new boat and the planning of it have proceeded to a certain stage but that unless there is some State assistance towards the acquisition of the vessel Inisbofin will be without an adequate ferry service and that that is a very serious matter for the islanders and the whole economy of that small area?
Comment on this
I appreciate what the Deputy is saying but unfortunately it is my duty and responsibility to do my utmost in the context of the Government's decisions to manage the State's finances, and we just do not have the money.
Comment on this
Can I take it from the Minister's reply that the proposal of the Taoiseach when he was Leader of the then Opposition that there should be a helicopter station in Galway with services at a cost of £1.2 million to the Department of Defence also is cancelled?
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that the net Exchequer cost of that proposal is of the order of £1.2 million?
Comment on this
It is a sad day for Inishbofin after all the promises made during the election campaign.
