asked the Minister for Transport and Power if present investigations referred to in a reply to a parliamentary question on the purchase of a car ferry for the Le Havre-Rosslare route, are negative in result; and if he will institute the building of such a ferry for later seasons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rosslare-Le Havre Ferry Service.
43.
Irish Shipping Ltd. are still pursuing inquiries in this matter. Any question of building a car ferry vessel for the Rosslare-Le Havre route would be primarily a matter for the shipping company concerned.
Irish Shipping Ltd. in consultation with Bord Fáilte have already undertaken a preliminary investigation of the costs of operation of a new vessel of suitable size for the route. This investigation has shown that the only type of operation which would not give rise to unacceptable losses would be one similar to that of Normandy Ferries in which the vessel could be assigned to another service in the offseason. To provide a vessel for high season use only would involve losses out of all proportion to the tourist and other benefits to be gained.