Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 3

Written Answers. - Passenger Ferries.

David Stanton

Question:

70 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the contact or meetings which he has had recently or plans to have with companies which operate passenger ferries to discuss the general decline in the tourist busi ness; the number of passengers carried each year for the past three years; the estimate for 2001; the present state of the ferry industry; its future projections; the steps he has taken or plans to take in order to assist the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22659/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

Senior officials from my Department have held a number of meetings with representatives of the Irish ferry sector in the last few weeks to discuss the industry's current concerns.

A representative of the Irish ferry sector, together with officials from my Department, are on the advisory group to the Irish Maritime Development Office, the statutory development agency for the shipping and shipping services sectors. That body is at present developing proposals specifically aimed at supporting the Irish ferry sector in the current economic climate.

In addition to that sector specific initiative, discussions are ongoing between my Department, the Department of Finance and the EU Commission, aimed at securing additional benefits for all sectors of the Irish shipping industry.

I will arrange to have the statistics requested by the Deputy forwarded to him shortly.