Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 6

Written Answers. - Access Transport.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

242 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on whether having a regular cross channel ferry service operating in and out of Cork was a boost to tourism in the south west region; if this service underpinned the Cork/Kerry Tourism Regional Development Plan, 1994-97; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. McCreevy)

I am advised by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, who has overall responsibility for access transport matters, including passenger ferry services, that the Swansea-Cork ferry service carried some 130,000 passengers and 34,000 cars in 1992.

The South West Community Support Framework Review Committee in its submission to the Department of Finance on the next round of EC Structural Funds 1994-1997 refers to the need for improved access transport capacity to Ireland, particularly from mainland Europe, in the interests of developing tourism in the Cork-Kerry region.