asked the Minister for Communications his plans for a ferry link between Cork and Britain for 1987.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork-Britain Ferry Link.
10.
The provision of shipping services is a matter mainly for commercial interests. The payment of a grant of £500,000, which the Government have decided should be made available for a proposed Cork-Swansea service, is now a matter for the Minister for the Environment.
Can the Minister say whether his Department have considered increasing the amount of £500,000 which was offered last year and which the local company who were interested in providing the service thought inadequate to start off the service? Furthermore, is that Cork interest still in contact with the Minister's Department regarding the provision of the service? How much do they think they need by way of subvention in order for them to start the service?
The decision has been made to make a £500,000 grant available from the Environment Vote. Therefore, further questions should be tabled to the Minister for the Environment.
As the Minister's Department have responsibility for sea transport, will he say that what is envisaged is an all-year round service or a summer service to suit the tourist trade?
I am being drawn into things for which I do not have responsibility. It is not my responsibility to run shipping services. It is my responsibility to set shipping policy. Therefore, the question should be directed to the people who ought to know.
Is it the Minister's policy that there should be a service between Cork and Fishguard or between Cork and Swansea?
That is not a policy decision. That is a decision about routes. We do not decide what air routes, bus routes or shipping routes there should be. That is for operators to decide. In this case the people concerned have asked for some financial assistance and the Government have decided that that financial assistance should be paid out of savings, half of which will come from the Environment Vote and half of which shall come from the Bantry fund. As far as the House is concerned, this money shall be paid out of the Minister for the Environment's Vote. To indicate that it is not a transport policy issue——
Is the Minister saying the question of transport between Cork and Fishguard, Swansea or Pembroke is not a matter in which he has any interest as Minister for Communications?
The Deputy knows that is not what I said. A decision has been made in very difficult financial circumstances to make available, yet again, financial assistance for this proposal this year. Any further questions will be answered by the Minister for the Environment.
Is the Minister saying he does not know what the proposal is, what period it is supposed to cover or where the service is supposed to go from and to?
Deputy Wilson knows where to get that information and that I am not the appropriate Minister to be asked that question.
That is the most slippery answer I have ever received in this House.