Ferry service planning and funding delay
Deputy Quill argued that a viable ferry service needed to be arranged by September so operators could plan bookings and marketing; the Minister agreed. Deputies then again protested that the January funding package came too late, before the Chair moved to the next question.
Would the Minister accept that if a viable service was to be provided directly into the Cork-Kerry region, that service ought to be in place in September of any given year to enable tour operators to make block bookings, to enable tourist people to carry out proper marketing and to enable that service to be well marketed and investments to be made well in advance of the upcoming season? Would he accept that any boat that is——
Comment on this
I would agree with the tenor of that question. Of course it is absolutely essential that a commercial activity of this nature, and particularly ferry operators, have their plan for the ensuing year in place so that brochures could be printed and published. I have no disagreement with that.
