It is nearly six weeks since I first raised the Dursey cable car crisis with the Taoiseach in the Dáil. Since then, I have raised it with the Tánaiste; the Minister, Deputy Humphreys; and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, among others, in trying to find a solution before the world-famous Dursey cable car ceases operations this Thursday evening for 240 days due to the urgent repairs to be carried out on the towers following storm damage. This is a cable car, I may add, opened by the then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, in 1969. As we stand right now, on Friday morning of this week islanders, farmers who have land on the islands and holidaymakers will not have a service of any type from the island to the mainland or from the mainland to the island.

A proposal from the local authority for funding for a temporary ferry service was made to the Department of Rural and Community Development at the end of last week for the 240 days the cable car will be out of operation. I fully respect that the Taoiseach would not have had the time to hear of these proposals but, for the sake of the residents, farmers and tourists who visit the world-famous Dursey Island and the Beara Peninsula, will the Taoiseach meet with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and find the funding to secure a ferry service to the island by this Thursday?

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I answered him last week on it but I will tell him the latest anyway. I understand they sent a proposal on Friday evening - I do not know what time it was sent at - but this is Tuesday so it has taken them a long time to get the proposal here. I am happy to look at it and I will certainly engage with my officials. The Deputy should remember, in fairness, that it is Cork County Council that has taken away this cable car, and not me.

Will the Government provide the funding?

I can tell the Deputy we will look after it. I am pressing very strongly. I will make sure the next time I am down there that I will get on it.

I would appreciate that.