Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
713 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline in respect of a contract (details supplied) the specific requirements on the owner to provide the service; the location at which the vessel is based; the measurements and dimensions of the vessel; if a stand-by vessel is available and if so, its location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/12]
View answerMy Department has awarded a contract to provide the service referred to by the Deputy for the three year period from 1 December 2011 to 30 November 2014. The service provides for two scheduled sailings per day, five days per week from 1 April to 31 October and three days per week from 1 November to 31 March.
The vessel nominated for the service has a passenger licence for 12 passengers, its LOA (length overall) is 11.57m and its beam is 3.6m. It is based at Colla Pier in Co. Cork. The service provider has nominated a back-up vessel which is only used in the event that the main boat is unavailable. It is not a requirement for the service provider to moor the back-up vessel in a specific location.
