asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if, in view of the Minister for Finance's reference to the extra money being given to the Swansea-Cork ferry in the Budget Statement of 25 January 1989, this extra money will be given on the same basis as that granted to other organisations under page 25 of his Budget speech.
Written Answers. - Swansea-Cork Ferry.
46.
The Government's recent decision in relation to the request from Swansea-Cork Ferries Limited for further Exchequer assistance has been conveyed to the company.
It has been reiterated that no more than £500,000 by way of grant from the Exchequer can be made available to the company. However, bearing in mind the importance of the Swansea-Cork service to tourism in the Cork and Kerry region, and having regard in particular to the funds pledged by local interests, the Government are prepared to provide, in addition to the £500,000 grant, a loan facility of up to £500,000 which would be repayable by September 1989.
This assistance is subject to Swansea-Cork Ferries Limited confirming that it will be able to provide a full programme of services in 1989. Discussions in this regard and in relation to the necessary detailed terms under which the Exchequer funds will be made available and repaid are ongoing between officials of the company and of my Department and the Department of Finance.
I want to emphasise that it continues to be my policy that access transport services to Ireland must operate on a fully commercial basis. I therefore wish to stress the exceptional nature of the proposed Exchequer assistance in this instance.