Vol. 236 No. 9
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the significant decline in the number of Scottish visitors coming to the north western part of the country through the withdrawal of the Glasgow-Derry sailing, he will consider requesting the British and Irish Steampacket Company to introduce this run during the summer season.
14.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if in view of the great loss to the tourist industry, particularly in the Dún Laoghaire area, through the withdrawal of the Glasgow-Dublin sailing, he will request the British and Irish Steampacket Company to introduce this run at least during the high tourist season.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
I am advised by Bord Fáilte that the withdrawal of the Glasgow-Derry and Glasgow-Dublin passenger services has had no adverse effect on the tourism industry because satisfactory alternative means of travel which are preferred by the travelling public are available.
The services were discontinued by the Burns and Laird line because they had become uneconomic. The B and I Company is under a mandate to operate on a strictly commercial basis and I do not, therefore, propose to request the company to provide services which hold out no prospect of economic operation.
Perhaps the B and I could get Ryans to build a few hotels up there.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if his statement is based on a survey showing that this would be uneconomic? It may have been uneconomic to run an all year round service but what I seek to know in my question is whether the B and I Company, which is now State controlled, could run a summer service. Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate that a survey has been carried out in respect of a summer service and, if so, what are the results?
My information is that the B and I have investigated this matter. I do not know the extent of the survey but they are satisfied that it would not be a satisfactory commercial proposition for them to reopen the Glasgow-Derry line or to provide a service on that route.
Does that refer to an all the year round service or a summer service?
It covers the summer service.
