Vol. 434 No. 10
2 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for the Marine if berthing facilities will be available at Dún Laoghaire Harbour to cater for the new high speed car ferry which is due to commence operations in the spring of 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Department of the Marine is holding discussions with Stena Sealink in respect of its future berthing requirements in Dún Laoghaire. These discussions are taking due account of Stena's announcement last July of its intention to introduce a new generation of high speed car ferry on the Holyhead-Dún Laoghaire route in 1995.
The House will be aware of the launch last July of the Sea Lynx— a fast ferry on the Dún Laoghaire-Holyhead route. This new service has expanded the ferry market and reduced to under two hours the travel time on the route. This vessel has to date operated very successfully and can be viewed as a forerunner to the proposed new Highspeed Sea Service (HSS) ferry operation.
Sea travel on the Irish Sea is expected to be transformed with the planned introduction, in 1995, of the world's largest high speed passenger and freight ferry.
The HSS can be considered unique for a number of reasons. Apart from its size and loading capacity, for the first time ever there will be a high speed ferry, capable of carrying ro/ro vehicles, coaches and trailers, as well as passengers and private cars. The HSS is to combine the speed of the fastest sea transport, the comfort of a modern passenger liner and the versatility of a robust roll-on/roll-off freight ship.
The HSS ferry will be the biggest high speed passenger and freight ferry in the world. Its cruising speed is expected to be around 40 knots. Conventional multipurpose ferries have a maximum speed of approximately 20 knots. The new HSS is expected to be able to carry 1,500 passengers and 375 cars, or 50 trucks and 100 private cars.
The coming into operation of this first vessel of its type will be a major boost to the central corridor and will bring significant benefits in terms of trade and tourism. In particular, it will secure the position of Dún Laoghaire as a premier ferry port.
My objective is to ensure, subject to planning, financing and local consultation, that Dún Laoghaire port will be ready to take this vessel in the spring of 1995. Detailed work on all aspects of the planning of this work has been initiated by the Department of the Marine and this work is being accorded the highest priority.
I will certainly keep the Deputy informed, as well as all other Deputies, councillors, public representatives and other interested parties, of ongoing developments in the context of the information sought by the Deputy.
In view of the significant importance to the country as a whole of the introduction of this new high speed ferry between Ireland and Britain, can the Minister give us a categoric assurance that the necessary berthing facilities will be available before the spring of 1995? The information that has been given to me is that there are grave doubts that these berthing facilities will be available and in view of the fact that the work or even the planning of the development has not yet commenced and that there is a possibility that this new ferry could be lost to this country if that is the case, I want a categoric assurance from the Minister that that will not happen.
In the light of recent events, I am not in the business of categoric assurances but I can tell the Deputy that my energy and my position as Minister for the Marine, which coincides with my position as a Member of the Dáil for Dún Laoghaire, will be utilised in order to ensure that the berthage will be available by March-April of 1995. In fact, I saw a development plan map from the consultants, Iarnród Éireann, only a few days ago and I was most impressed by the configuration of what is proposed for the reception of the HSS operation. However, I would like to assure the Deputy that if he would like either a public or a private briefing in the interests of what we both seek to achieve, namely, that Dún Laoghaire becomes a premier ferry port, I will make the briefing available to him on a week to week or a month to month basis as he wishes or, indeed, to any other Member.
I want to thank——
I was hoping to call Question No. 3. As Members can observe the time for dealing with priority questions is fast running out. Thank you, Deputy, I am grateful for your consideration in the matter.
