Michael D. Higgins
Question:6 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he is in a position to reply to the observations offered to him by residents of Inis Meáin on the recent proposals for a ferry service to the Aran Islands.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Aran Island Energy Service Proposal.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:16 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if a decision has been made on the tender to provide a ferry service between Galway and the Aran Islands; and when same will be announced.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 16 together.
Examination of the various tender proposals submitted to my Department for the new ferry service to the Aran Islands is at an advanced stage and I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on the matter shortly.
I have received many suggestions for the proposed new service from residents of all three islands, including Inishmaan. I will be considering these suggestions in arriving at a decision on the various tender proposals.
Is the Minister in a position to give details of the type of service suggested by the different parties who tendered for its provision? Has a decision been made as to where the service will be sourced and the point towards which it will be directed? Is the Minister in a position to respond to the points made in a letter sent to him in the middle of November 1990 by the co-operative in Inishmaan setting out their detailed proposals?
The kind of service I have in mind is that laid down in the advertisement my Department placed in the newspapers, in invitation to tender. We asked for a vessel which would have a small passenger complement — we envisaged about 45 or 50 people — operating between Galway city and the Aran Islands. We asked for tenders to be submitted on the basis of either roll on-roll off or load on-load off operations and we asked the tenders to include an indication of the infrastructural improvements they would require. We also pointed out that the service should be suitable for the conveyance of general cargo, motor vehicles, refrigerated foodstuffs and livestock. We also invited tenderers to have regard to the scheduling of sevices so that there would be a minimum of three sailings per week all year round to the three islands, Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer, with a higher frequency in the summer. We pointed out that the contract would be awarded on the basis of meeting that criteria. We received about ten tenders — certainly seven very serious ones with one from as far away as Australia, or perhaps it was Canada. The service will be sourced in Galway city. I asked officials of my Department to visit the islands to have discussions with all the interested parties and I understand that they had discussions with leading members of the co-operative. I am happy that we have had full consultations with people on the islands.
Did any of the tenders deal with a service which would include a combination of service with buses from Rossaveal? When will the Minister take the decision and is he aware that, following the placing of the advertisement in the newspapers, a number of groups, individuals, companies and indeed the co-operative, have expressed dissatisfaction at what they felt was the preempting of the decision by the form of the advertisement? Will he also indicate how the option he favours will be a significant advance on the Naomh Éanna in service in the fifties.
I visited the islands over the summer to satisfy myself that we are doing the right thing. The contract will be formally awarded within two weeks. Some of the companies who tendered expressed a preference for Rossaveal and put forward proposals based on that. Generally, in my view — and that of the Government — our responsibility is to provide a very good vessel. I understand that the top tenderers recommended that a new vessel should be purpose built for the weather and seas in that area. If the boat is built it would solve many of the current difficulties which also existed when the Naomh Éanna was in service. As the Deputy knows, the Naomh Éanna is 30 years old and had come to the end of its life. This new service will be a permanent State service from Galway city to the three islands operating all year round and will be designed for all the items I mentioned such as refrigeration, cattle, etc. It will also hold 50 passengers. I engaged marine consultants to advise me and they said it would be a good core service. There will be many disappointed companies because, as the Deputy is aware, there is substantial rivalry in regard to this matter which is why I have engaged excellent professionals to assess the tenders.
Deputy McCormack rose.
I was hoping to go on to another question as I am concerned about the sluggishness of questions today.
That is not my fault.
I will hear the Deputy if he will be very brief.
I tabled a full question in relation to this matter, with respect.
Deputy, please put the question or I will move on to the next one.
I know the Minister is aware of how essential this service is for the Aran Islands and the interest which it is creating in Galway. Will the Minister give a categoric assurance that his colleague, the Minister for Energy, Deputy Molloy, does not have a direct — or indirect — involvement or interest in the allocation of this tender and that claims in that regard are untrue?
I received representations from all the Deputies, including the Minister for Energy, representing the area. I have taken all representations — including that of Deputy McCormack — into account.
We must move to the next question.
Deputy McCormack rose.
Next question, please.
I got a very bad hearing as other speakers were allowed to ask three supplementary questions.
If the Deputy is dissatisfied with the Minister's reply he has many remedies open to him.
I am not satisfied with the involvement of the other Minister.
I am only concerned with the Minister who is here today. If the Deputy has something to say about another Minister he should put down a question or deal with it in another way.
The last time I put down a question the Minister ran from the House.