asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the present position regarding proposed new roll-on/roll-off ferry service to serve the Aran Islands, County Galway.

9.

asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will give details of the proposals he has for the provision of a roll-on/roll-off ferry service to the Aran Islands, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 9 together.

Proposals for a roll-on/roll-off ferry service to serve the Aran Islands are being looked at closely, having regard to the transport needs of the islands and the current difficult Exchequer position. I hope to submit proposals to the Government fairly soon.

During the summer season CIE provided an additional service with the Dún Aengus, which linked up with the Naomh Éanna at Kilronan to service the two smaller islands. The board have told me that they are endeavouring to resume the Dún Aengus service for the winter schedule.

Is the Minister aware that his answer is the standard reply given about this matter for the past two years, for the period in which he has been in office and for a long time during the period of his predecessor? Is he also aware that this matter has now become critical, that the Naomh Éanna, the vessel in use by CIE may not be certified by Lloyds marine insurance assessors as they have made it known they may not certify the vessel for open sea passenger operations next year as the thickness of the underwater plating is now a critical factor which may not be able to withstand passage in rough seas. This is a passenger-carrying vessel as well as a goods-carrying vessel. In view of this, will the Minister recognise that it is now critical for an early decision to be made by the Government on the replacement service to the islands? Will the Minister also indicate his own position in regard to the proposal to operate two ferries, one from Rossaveal to Kilronan and a smaller vessel from Kilronan to Inishmaan and Inishere?

When I met the interested parties they were more than pleased with the arrangements made for the provision of this service to the three islands during 1987——

That is a separate matter——

Please allow the Minister to reply.

I answered the question about the roll-on/roll-off ferry and I will repeat it in case the Deputy did not hear it.

I heard what the Minister said.

Proposals for a roll-on/roll-off ferry service to serve the Aran Islands are being looked at closely, having regard to the transport needs of the islands and the current difficult Exchequer position. I hope to submit proposals to the Government fairly soon. In the meantime, as I told the House, the Naomh Éanna will service Inis Mór and the Dún Aengus will serve the two smaller islands. This was quite a satisfactory arrangement during the summer as the people involved told me.

When I placed Question No. 9 on the Order Paper, I was not expecting a reply that would be so identical to the reply given when this matter was raised so long ago.

Hear, hear.

The phrase "being looked at closely" was used two years ago, eighteen months ago and six months ago in reply to questions. My question to the Minister is very explicit. When did the Minister last write to the group who have been meeting him in connection with the roll-on/roll-off ferry? Did the Minister not promise them at a meeting that he would be making a specific reference to Cabinet some time ago, and what recommendation of a policy kind is he now making? Did the Minister not also tell the group, as did his predecessor, that on completion of a survey in his Department an explicit recommendation would be made to Cabinet? What is the present position? That is what both Deputy Molloy's question and mine asks.

Could I appeal for brevity?

Yes. To say that it is being looked at closely in the context of current Exchequer positions is leaving the people high and dry.

I know the Deputy is representing his constituents and I know how strongly he feels about this matter but he does not expect me to give to him the proposals before I put them to the Government, does he?

I must insist. I asked a very explicit question. When did the Minister last write to the group and what undertaking did he give at his last meeting with them? That does not affect what he is recommending to the Cabinet.

If the Deputy puts down a question on that I will give him a specific answer.

I have put it down. Question No. 9 asks what is the present position and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.

I have told you, Deputy, what the present position is; it is precisely as I have given it to the House.

But what is the status of your undertaking to the group who met you? Are you going ahead or not?

Order, please.

It is exactly the status that I gave at the time.

This is like——

I am calling Deputy Cullen.

——Alice in Wonderland. That language could mean anything. What is the present status of the proposal? Is it to go ahead?

I am sorry, this is leading to argument and to unnecessary delay.

The proposals will come to the Government.

Does Deputy Cullen wish to intervene?

No.

Deputy Molloy.

Does the Minister recall having met the group on the Aran Islands in 1982, seven years ago?

With Deputy Molloy?

Yes.

Yes.

Surely the Minister must recognise that no progress has been made in the matter since.

A lot of miscegenated water has flowed under a lot of bridges since then.

Would the Minister agree that the answer he gave in the House has been given here to me, to other Deputies and to the island committee consistently over the past three years——

That point has been made over and over again.

——that is, that the matter is being put before Government? Would the Minister agree that the reality is in these two books, that there is no provision to do anything about this for the placing of an order or anything else in the 1988 Estimates, either capital or current?

Or for the existing service.

Realities are realities and the Deputy knows I told the House that I made arrangements which found favour with the people who are to be served and indicated to the House what the next step will be. I am holding by that reply.

Question No. 5.

Can I have a final supplementary please?

I have given Deputy Molloy lots of latitude. I am calling the next question.

I raised the matter initially about the condition of the Naomh Éanna. The arrangements that the Minister refers to include the Naomh Éanna and I have indicated the concern of those who had to carry out a marine survey——

The Deputy is not even asking a question.

I am asking the Minister if he would acknowledge that the interim temporary arrangements involved the Naomh Éanna which is becoming a dangerous sea vessel?

I have no information that that is so.

Question No. 5, please.

I wish to give notice of my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment tonight. It is far too serious to be cast aside in such a light manner.

I will communicate with the Deputy.