Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, will be aware of media reports this week on a proposal by Waterways Ireland to dismantle the Naomh Éanna. I have been contacted on this issue by a number of people in my constituency. The Naomh Éanna was built in the Liffey shipyards in Dublin in 1956 and operated by CIE as the ferry to the Aran Islands from 1958 until 1988. Throughout that period, the vessel failed to sail on only eight occasions.

The Minister of State may be aware of a similar ship, the MV Cill Airne, which has been beautifully restored and operates as a restaurant and bar on the River Liffey adjacent to the convention centre. The Naomh Éanna has lain in disrepair in the Grand Canal Basin for several years. As one of the last ships built in this country using rivets, it is part of our maritime and industrial heritage and it would be a terrible shame if we lost it. I ask for a six month grace period to be provided to allow the Naomh Éanna Trust to produce a business plan for restoring the vessel. It could then be left in the Grand Canal Basin or moved to the River Liffey or Galway Harbour as it has historical links with all three locations. If done successfully, the project would provide a great model for the restoration of other vessels. I call for a six month stay on the proposal by Waterways Ireland.

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