Vol. 354 No. 10
asked the Minister for Communications if it is Government policy to implement the proposals of the Joint Committee of the Aran Islands, County Galway, for modern freight and passenger services from Ros a' Mhil to Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inishere and if he will make a statement on the matter.
104.
asked the Minister for Communications if he is considering proposals for the replacement of MV Naomh Éanna and MV Galway Bay, and if it is proposed to introduce roll-on/roll-off freight services to Inishere, Inishmaan and Inishmore, Aran Islands, County Galway.
105.
asked the Minister for Communications if he will meet a deputation from the Aran Islands, County Galway to discuss proposed passenger and freight services to the islands.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 104 and 105 together.
CIE will be submitting to me a report on a major evaluation, which it arranged at my request, of possible options for meeting the passenger and freight requirements of the Aran Islands in future years. Completion of the evaluation awaits the outcome of tests of a new type vessel now in progress. The proposals of the island co-operatives will be fully taken into account by me in my consideration of the CIE report.
Arrangements for meeting the passenger and freight requirements of the Aran Islands have important implications for the Exchequer which must also be taken into account. A deputation was met by officials of my Department in July and further discussions will be arranged, as necessary, in the light of the evaluation report.
