asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will negotiate with British Railways with a view to having the steamer passenger service between Fishguard and Waterford restored.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restoration of Fishguard-Waterford Passenger Service.
10.
I understand that the passenger service between Fishguard and Waterford was discontinued in June 1959 after consultation between British Railways and the local public bodies concerned, on the grounds that heavy losses had been incurred by the operators for a number of years previously.
In these circumstances and as I have no statutory function in the matter, I am satisfied that no useful purpose would be served by my approaching British Railways.
It is not a question of whether the Minister has a statutory function or not. Surely, as Minister for Transport and Power, he would consider it worth his while to approach British Railways in view of the statement made by the Director of the Tourist Board the day before yesterday? Is the Minister aware that people can send their cars from Fishguard to Waterford by steamer but cannot travel in the same steamer? Would it not be worth his while to draw the attention of British Railways to this matter? There is a demand for it.
The Deputy knows that my Department and Bord Fáilte have been making great efforts to get the cross-Channel service improved. During the past six months we have had considerable success, particularly in relation to the Fishguard-Rosslare route, where there will be extra sailings and far more space available for cars. It is obvious it is best to made representations and to take action where success is most likely to be achieved. The Deputy also knows that, by arrangement with Waterford Corporation and other bodies, the new container service between Waterford and Fishguard was in a sense a replacement or substitution for the passenger service. In other words, the arrangement made with British Railways was to find a new kind of traffic, and I understand it is operating very successfully.
Is the Minister aware it was Waterford Harbour Commissioners, not Waterford Corporation, which were consulted in this matter? Is he aware that the Harbour Commissioners had no option but to accept the argument of British Railways that the passenger service should be discontinued? Is he further aware that, by Parliamentary action in the British House of Commons, British Railways would have been compelled to carry on this service if the Minister for Industry and Commerce of the day had stood over the Waterford Harbour Commissioners?
Waterford did not use it.
Waterford did use it—far more than your old Gaelic League Hall in Newcastle West.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach has answered the Deputy. We have to tackle the problems where we are most likely to achieve success. It is quite obvious that the use of that line was very small compared with other traffic.
Would the Minister speak up? I do not know how he is heard at the crossroads.