asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the State holds a financial interest in the Galway Bay Steamboat Company; if so, how and when such interest was acquired; whether it is proposed to transfer such interest to Córas Iompair Éireann; and, if so, whether the Galway Bay Steamboat Company's service will be thereafter operated by Córas Iompair Éireann.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Bay Steamboat Company.
The State does not hold a financial interest in the Galway Bay Steamboat Company. This company receives a subsidy in respect of services which it provides between Galway and the Aran Islands under an annual agreement with the Ministers for Finance and Industry and Commerce. The vessel used on the service was originally purchased by means of a loan from the Congested Districts Board. Following the waiving of the sums outstanding on the loan, agreements were made with the company under the Aran Islands (Transport) Acts, 1936 and 1946, which provide that in the event of the company ceasing to use the Dun Aengus for the Aran service, or on the termination of an existing agreement, whichever is the earlier, the company shall transfer the vessel to the Minister for Industry and Commerce in good order and repair. Now that the main rail and road transport system is being entrusted to a State-sponsored board it would, in my view, be more appropriate if the steamer service for the Aran Islands were undertaken by Córas Iompair Éireann. Discussions are proceeding with a view to the future operation of the Aran service by the new board.
Has the Minister asked Córas Iompair Éireann specifically to take over the service?
Discussions are going on.