Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004
284 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the programme of activities for a vessel (details supplied) over the next three years, in view of the hugely successful impact of the vessel on its maiden voyage as an ambassador for the marine industry here and as a training vessel for Irish crews and shipwrights and in the context of the opening of the Irish Maritime College in Cork. [26864/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's primary role concerning this vessel was to oversee the allocation of the Government's grant funding to ensure construction was completed to the highest possible safety standards and that the vessel undertook its planned trans-Atlantic 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 Johnston replica famine vessel. Under this ownership structure, the ship completed its successful maiden voyage to North America in 2003 and has continued to operate as a tourism and heritage attraction in 2004. All of the grant funds, which were allocated by Government through this Department to the Jeanie Johnston project, have now been paid. The Department has no role in the operation or management of the vessel and any plans for the future of the vessel are a matter for its owners to decide.
