Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I acknowledge his comments to the effect that no State intervention can be made because this could be perceived as a breach of European Union state aid rules. It is a matter of EU law that neither this nor any other member state can subsidise private ferry operators.

In view of the unique structure relating to the company which provides the service, that is, the fact that businesses, local authorities and other interests in the south-west region were involved in getting it up and running, will the Department provide assistance in the context of analysing where the company went wrong? If such an analysis were carried out, it might facilitate the putting in place of a business plan whereby a new ferry service could be provided, albeit on a more limited basis, during the summer months. I am of the view that there would be merit in the Department carrying out a detailed analysis with regard to how a new service might be put in place and how it might operate.

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