asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that considerable public money is being given to Cork-Swansea Ferries, which operate a service employing a predominantly Polish crew on a Polish owned vessel, with little benefit to the Irish economy, and in direct competition with Irish crewed vessels operating on the southern corridor route; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cork-Swansea Ferry Service.
75.
My Department has disbursed a once-off grant of £500,000 to assist the start-up of the Cork-Swansea ferry service operated by Swansea Cork Ferries Ltd. I hope that the service will be successful and thus be of benefit to the economy and to the south-west region in particular. The crewing of the vessel involved is a matter for the operators.