andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he has seen reports of the probable value of the revolutionary air cushion transport vehicle in British cross-Channel passenger ferry services; and, if so, whether Aer Lingus or his Department have any plans for the investigation or use of such a transport vehicle on any of the Irish Sea routes in the foreseeable future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Cushion Transport Vehicles.
11.
The possibilities of the air cushion type vehicle, known as the hovercraft, for use on the cross-Channel services between here and Great Britain has been kept under review in my Department over the past two years. A member of the Department's technical staff will shortly be visiting Britain to see an experimental hovercraft recently completed by a British firm. I myself have had an opportunity personally to discuss with the authority in Britain which is responsible for the development of the hovercraft the prospect of its use on cross-Channel services.
Hovercraft are still at the experimental stage and it will probably be some years yet before we can expect the development of a hovercraft which might be suitable for operation on the cross-Channel routes.
My Department has also kept in touch with the development of the vessel known as the hydrofoil with a view to its possible usefulness on the cross-Channel services. I have had enquiries made in Italy and Sweden in which hydrofoils are in commercial operation, and also in the United States, where an experimental open-sea hydrofoil is at present under construction. Hydrofoils at present in operation are confined to relatively smooth waters and would not be suitable for use on the Irish sea routes. Present research into the development of open sea hydrofoils may lead the way to vessels which could be safely used on the cross-Channel services.