Ferry Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2012

Thursday, 12 July 2012

Questions (202)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

205 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that the cable car providing a link to the Dursey Island in west Cork no longer takes animal livestock in the interest of health and safety and the ferry service is not a reliable and practical option, farmers are now in the situation of not being able to ferry their animals over and back at a time that they wish, his plans to provide financial assistance to alleviate this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34179/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

All matters associated with the operation of the cable car to Dursey Island are the responsibility of Cork County Council. Cork County Council engaged consulting engineers to carry out studies on the cable following which the transportation of all animals by cable car to and from Dursey Island ceased from 30th January 2012. I have no plans to provide financial assistance for the transport of animals to and from Dursey Island.