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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cape Clear Mailboat.

asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the mailboat to Cape Clear, County Cork, is out of service since November, 1942, for minor repairs, and if he will state the reason for the long delay in having this work carried out.

There has been no interruption in the mail service to Cape Clear, but the "Dún an Óir" has not been used as a communication service since November, 1942, as the boatman declined to carry out the repairs required consequent on the survey of the boat.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say what he means by saying that there has been no interruption in the mail service?

The position was that there was a charter party between the Department of Lands (Gaeltacht Services) and the boatman. A condition of that charter party was that he would accept responsibility for the repair and maintenance of the boat, which condition he since decided not to carry out; but we have been in communication with the boatman and also with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, whose responsibility it also is to preserve the mail service, and I am glad to be able to state that we have come to a new agreement, subject to the consent of the Department of Finance.

Would the Parliamentary. Secretary say when that agreement will be made effective? My concern is for the public service, and I say it has taken too long for the Department and the boatman to settle their own difficulties. Of course, I may not be aware of all the facts.

I would like to point out to the Deputy that the inhabitants of Cape Clear Island are not dependent on this service entirely.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary tell me what other service they have?

They use alternative methods of travel.

For instance?

They go to Baltimore from Cape Clear Island, according to their own arrangement.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say what that arrangement is?

I could not say. I am not saying that we are not prepared to preserve this service. We believe—and the Department of Posts and Telegraphs believes—that it is a service which should be maintained.

Bhfuil an bád sin díomhaoin anois?

Eamonn Ó Ciosáin

Tá sí diomhaoin.

Conus a tugtar na litreacha go dtí an toileán?

Eamonn Ó Ciosáin

Don Roinn Puist agus Telegrafa an cheist sin agus ní domh-sa.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say when this arrangement, of which he has now spoken, will be made effective?

Almost immediately.

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