asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make a statement on the likely cessation of the Normandy ferry service from Le Havre to Rosslare Harbour.
33.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ferry Service Cessation.
32.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if any progress has been made in the provision of substitute shipping services on the Le Havre-Rosslare route following the withdrawal of the Normandy Ferries services.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.
Since the time of the public announcement by the operators of the service, Normandy Ferries Ltd., that the service would be discontinued after this year, Irish Shipping Ltd. have, with my encouragement, been exploring the possibilities of securing a restoration of service by Normandy Ferries or of interesting some other operator of car-ferry services in taking over the service. The position as at this date is that Irish Shipping Ltd. are continuing their efforts.
Will the Minister state when he hopes negotiations will conclude and could he give us a definite date because the people of Rosslare and those in the tourist industry in general are very anxious?
I appreciate Deputy Allen's supplementary because he, at all stages, has pursued this matter actively.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Allen does not need the Minister to scratch his back. He can look after himself.
I am hopeful that there will be a successful conclusion.
How hopeful?
I hope inside the next ten days to have a decision one way or the other.
Can the Minister say whether more tourists went out or came in on that?
Ask Deputy Corish behind you.
It was a very successful venture anyway. With the interruptions, I did not get the Minister's full reply.
The Deputy was talking himself.
I was defending Deputy Allen. I was telling the Minister that Deputy Allen, on one side of Fianna Fáil, is well able to look after himself without any help from the other side. Do I take it from the Minister that there are discussions and that there is a possibility of a boat being provided for the next season?
Yes, that is the burden of the discussions.
Is the Minister optimistic?
I do not want to be optimistic or pessimistic. I want to be realistic and I am hopeful. I will probably know and be able to answer the House next week one way or the other. I am pushing it as hard as I can.
The Minister will let Deputy Allen know first?
Naturally.