Vol. 577 No. 4
55 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the future of the Jeanie Johnstonfamine ship; and if State funds will be made available towards its current running costs. [31118/03]
My Department's primary role in the Jeanie Johnston project has been to oversee the allocation of the Government's grant funding to the project so as to ensure that construction of the vessel was completed to the highest possible safety standards and that the vessel undertook its planned transatlantic voyage to North America.
At the start of 2003, a consortium comprising Kerry County Council, Tralee Town Council, Shannon Development and Kerry Group plc took over ownership of the Jeanie Johnstonreplica famine vessel. Under this ownership structure, the ship completed its successful maiden voyage to North America during 2003 and has now returned to Ireland. All of the grant funds which were allocated by Government to the Jeanie Johnstonproject have now been paid by my Department. The plans for the future of the vessel are a matter for its owners to decide.
