Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

The answer illustrates another problem with the privatisation of Irish Ferries, whereby Irish Ferries is not obliged to provide a public transport service or access to foot passengers. It is free not to do it and it does not do it in circumstances where it does not think it is profitable. A consequence of that is increased CO2 emissions but from the point of view of capitalism, that is just another externality and not something it is concerned with.

My understanding is that the Irish Ferries Dublin to Cherbourg sailings on the MS Epsilon ferry generally do not accept foot passengers both ways. Sometimes, one may be able to get to France as a foot passenger but one might not be able come back via the same route. It is the Dublin to Cherbourg route that is being touted for expansion to a daily service. Unfortunately the Minister of State is not able to tell me that foot passengers will be able to access daily services to France and that is what is necessary.

See this speech in context