asked the Minister for Transport if he will state in relation to the provision of the roll-on roll-off ferry terminal at Cork Harbour (i) the total Exchequer grants provided and (ii) the percentage level of the grants in relation to total expenditure.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Harbur RO-RO Ferry Terminal
14.
Total Exchequer grants paid in relation to the provision of the roll-on/roll-off ferry terminal at Cork Harbour amount to approximately £6.6 million. This represents close to 80 per cent of the total expenditure to date on the project.
In the light of the decision of the Government to allow B & I to cease operations in Cork, is the Minister not concerned about the public money spent on the development of the roll-on, roll-off service at Ringaskiddy? What plans have the Government for the success of this service? A very serious situation has arisen as a result of the cessation of B & I operations in Cork. They were the prime people involved in negotiations for the development of Ringaskiddy, and yesterday the Government took a decision that they could pull out of Cork.
A question.
Will the Minister say what plans the Government have in the light of their decision yesterday about B & I pulling out of Cork? What plans has he for the success of Ringaskiddy? The whole thing is in the melting pot now. B & I were the reason for the development and now they are pulling out of Cork. How does the Minister propose to deal with that?
That is really a separate question, but the Government are very sad that the decision had to be taken to withdraw the Cork-Pembroke ferry. I am also concerned that the amount of money that has been expended in Ringaskiddy and invested there by the State should be put to good use. I have not had time so far to consider what other steps we can take to improve the situation in Cork, but the Deputy will be pleased to know that I am considering the matter and hope to be in a position to make a statement before too long.
A Ceann Comhairle——
Deputy, I know that this is your first intervention, but this is really a statistical question in the name of Deputy Avril Doyle and the questions now being put by the Deputy are irrelevant and really should be put down under a separate question.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, the Government did not investigate the whole situation before they allowed B & I to take this decision.
That is not a question.
I know, but I am giving the Deputy certain latitudes.
What the Deputy said is not what I said. I have been criticised also for the delay in making the decision because the longer it is delayed the more unlikely it is that a summer service can be provided.
Question No. 15.