asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the continued generally unsatisfactory nature of cross-Channel passenger transport arrangements and of the damaging effects on the tourist trade he will consider the establishment of a nationally owned shipping line or, alternatively, while awaiting such a development, have a firm agreement with the existing companies for a minimum satisfactory service to ensure that overcrowding and delays during peak tourist periods will be eliminated once and for all.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel Passenger Transport.
I deprecate the statement that the cross-Channel passenger services are generally unsatisfactory. Such a statement is not only incorrect but is detrimental to tourist trade prospects. I am informed that during the tourist season this year every passenger who had booked for a particular sailing and presented himself for that sailing was carried. The very few difficulties which arose were caused by persons presenting themselves on peak dates without sailing tickets, and were accentuated by fortuitous delays to vessels.
I am, of course, very much concerned to secure the elimination of all difficulties and to ensure that facilities are provided to cope adequately for a steadily expanding traffic. At my request, Bord Fáilte Éireann has interested itself particularly in this matter and is keeping in close touch with the shipping companies. In addition, further structural improvements at Dún Laoghaire have been provided to facilitate passenger handling.
Irish participation in the cross-Channel passenger trade presents a number of problems to which there is no easy solution. The matter is, however, under constant review.