asked the Minister for Communications the up-to-date position regarding the proposed car ferry service from Swansea into Cork for 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Ferry Service.
8.
The Government have approved a grant of £500,000 towards the provision of a car ferry service from Cork to Swansea in 1987 and this House will be asked to vote the necessary Supplementary Estimate for my Department this evening. The operation of the service is a matter for the commercial interests involved and I understand that the promoters of the service are actively engaged in preparations for the commencement of the service in April 1987.
Since this question was tabled arrangements have been completed for the leasing of a ferry service from Swansea to Cork for 1987 and 1988. I hope it will be such a success that it will make up for the loss incurred by the tourist industry in south Kerry and south west Cork during the past few years when we could not get the Government to organise this car ferry.
The Deputy is correct about the arrangements for the ferry. It should be possible to start the service in April 1987.
In view of the fact that the service is now a possibility and acknowledging the contribution given by the Government, more importantly will the Minister acknowledge the efforts of the local authorities and the people who provided this service when the State body withdrew its service? Can the Minister assure the House and the Cork-Swansea car ferry company that they will not be subject to any unfair competition? That competition is being supported financially by the taxpayers.
As the Deputy said, it has got very significant support from the local authorities, Cork harbour commissioners, Cork Corporation and Kerry County Council as well as the West Glamorgan County Council in Wales. We wish it every success. I am delighted to see it at such an advanced stage. As far as competition is concerned I do not think very much can be done. The difficulty was that there was no competition. I do not think there is any particular difficulty on that route.
I did not say competition; I said unfair competition. Unfair competition is being financed by the taxpayers.
That is another speech.
No, it is not. I am asking the Minister to ensure that there will be no unfair competition by the other service that pulled out of Cork to the service being provided by the local people of Cork. I am asking him to ensure that there will be no unfair competition, "unfair" being the operative word.
That is the fourth time the Deputy has said it.
I want to emphasise it, a Cheann Comhairle.
The Minister, in dealing with this, has to take the overall national wishes into consideration. I am sure he will take the wishes of the Cork people into consideration also.
And the efforts of the Cork people.