asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the Bantry Bay Steamship service, from Bantry to Berehaven, is about to be suspended, following the initiation of a road transport service by Córas Iompair Eireann; that this change will have the effect of cutting off Bere Island from securing supplies directly from Bantry and other trading centres, with consequent hardship to the residents of the island; and whether he will arrange for the retention of the steamship service to Berehaven, calling at Bere Island.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bantry Bay Steamship Service.
I am aware that the Bantry Bay Steamship Company have suspended their weekly sailings and that Córas Iompair Eireann, in response to a demand for direct road transport, are providing a daily lorry service between Bantry and Castletownbere.
The traffic formerly consigned to Bere Island by the steamer service amounted to about 25 tons per month, and I understand that there are small boats available which are capable of dealing with this traffic. In the circumstances, I see no reason to intervene in the matter.
Is the Minister aware that people in Berehaven are quite dissatisfied with the arrangement proposed in regard to the capacity of the service, in regard to the charges, and generally in regard to the very limited service now proposed? Would the Minister consider some alternative to the new arrangement for the people in Bere Island? As it is at the moment, it will mean more inconvenience, longer delay in the delivery of the goods and higher transport costs from Berehaven to Bere Island.