Eamon Gilmore
Question:26 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the latest position regarding the Jeanie Johnston project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23329/01]
Written Answers. - Jeanie Johnston Project.
Since the Government decision of 3 April 2001 to allocate additional funding to the Jeanie Johnston project, my Department has been working closely with the Jeanie Johnston Company (Ireland) Limited and all stakeholders to facilitate the ship's completion.
Following the decision taken on 26 June 2001 by the company to postpone planning for a voyage to the USA in 2001, a focus group was set up under the auspices of my Department to identify the options for the future role of the project and to report to me on the long-term strategy for the vessel. I expect to receive the focus group's report in the near future. I intend to seek Government approval for a way forward for this project. The focus group will aim to ensure, from the outset, that the long-term future of this project will be based on realistic estimates of costs and benefits.
In the meantime, the board of the company has been directed to concentrate on the completion of the vessel as its priority and to focus on the financial management of the project with a view to expediting completion and reducing costs to a minimum. I expect the vessel to be completed in the next two to three months at a final estimated cost of £11 million. Since the commencement of its involvement in this project in June 2000, my Department has acted at all times to ensure that the cost escalation, previously experienced by the project, was brought under control.