Vol. 490 No. 1
32 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will provide an update on his efforts to sustain a ferry service for the export of live cattle to Europe from the port of Cork following the discontinuation of the service by a company (details supplied) on 15 April 1998. [9431/98]
I am pleased to confirm that agreement was reached last week between exporters and Gaelic Ferries, operators of the Cork-Cherbourg ferry service, on the next phase of the operation of the service, which was started last October with Government support and which proved highly successful in facilitating the export trade. This agreement, a key element of which is an equity investment by the EU Livestock Exporters Co-operative, assures the continuation of the service in the medium term, using a new vessel, the mv Francoise, and secures the direct involvement of livestock and other exporters in its operation.
Over the coming weeks Gaelic Ferries, with the active involvement of exporter representatives, will be evaluating a number of options aimed at securing the long-term future of the operation.
I would urge all exporters, most particularly those involved in the livestock and agri-food areas, to make full use of the service and thereby enhance its long-term viability.
