asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that because of the Government refusal in 1979 to allow the B & I Company to extend their Cork to Pembroke service to a European port the economics of the Cork/ Pembroke service were put in jeopardy; if he is further aware that the B & I Company are withdrawing the winter service between Cork and Pembroke; if he will now take action to ensure that this service will continue to operate and enter into discussions with the B & I Company to allow them to extend this service to continental Europe with the view of protecting this service which has importance and relevance to the economic structure and environment of the south of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - B & I Service.
17.
The B & I Company were given the opportunity to become involved in a continental service in the early seventies. The Normandy Ferries' summer service from Le Havre to Rosslare, which was introduced in 1968, was withdrawn at short notice, at the end of the 1971 summer season. The Minister for Transport and Power at the time asked the B & I and Irish Shipping to put forward proposals for a replacement service. Irish Shipping Limited, after investigation, came forward with proposals which led to a joint venture with Scandinavian interests and the re-introduction of a continental service out of Rosslare in June, 1973. B & I did not submit any proposals.
In May 1979 B & I sought the approval of the then Minister to operate a continental service from Cork to Le Havre or Cherbourg. This had formed part of the five-year corporate plan drawn up by the company in August 1979. The Minister decided at that time that the service should not be introduced, on the basis that such a service would be in direct competition with the service already being provided by another State company, Irish Continental Line, between Rosslare and Le Havre.
The question of the continued operation of the B & I Cork-Pembroke service is at present under consideration but I am not yet in a position to make a statement in the matter.