Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise the issue of the Cork to Swansea ferry link as I am seriously concerned because we are now facing into a third year without this ferry service. I recall in 1989 that we were without a service in the southern region, which led to a significant economic backlash for freight, tourism, etc. In Cork and Kerry in particular we are largely dependent on tourism.

In that period 1989-90, I was chairman of Cork County Council, as well as being a Senator. With the help of local authorities such as Cork County Council, Kerry County Council and Cork City Corporation, as well as Government input, the ferry service was restored. I cannot emphasise enough that this lack of service amounts to a loss of approximately €50 million or €60 million each year. In 2007, the operator of the ferry service sold the ship, which was regrettable, with a sincere view to providing another ferry. This has not happened.

To take an example, my local golf club — I am not a great golfer by any means — has seen its green fees down almost 50%. Restaurants in the peninsular areas of west Cork, Beara, Mizen, Sheepshead and all over south Kerry have suffered because this ferry, in operation for the past 20 years, is no longer in operation. It is critical that it be restored.

I have been told that because of competition laws, the Minister cannot interfere or give a financial injection but we are now facing a three-week window of opportunity to get this boat afloat. I acknowledge that currently, the mayors of Cork County Council, Kerry, Cork city and those in the Cork port authority are combined in a unique effort to try to get this service back up and running. In 2007, when the service stopped initially, people did not realise the financial consequences — both for tourism and freight — to the region.

From an environmental perspective we can consider carbon footprints in the context of the Kyoto agreement. It would be much better if a large ship carrying many freight vessels and cars could be used to ferry people from Wales and many parts of England to the southern region of this country. Tourism to Cork and Kerry is critical. Many people from either Wales or parts of England have retired to west Cork and they would have used the ferry frequently. I emigrated and lived in London for a while so I have used the ferry over the years.

I urge that the Minister responsible intervene in the matter before it is too late. I understand this has much to do with tourism but technically, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, has responsibility. Time is of the essence in the matter and what we need to bring the ferry back is security of tenure over five or seven years. This would mean people in the southern part of this country, mainly Cork and Kerry, can be assured of the only ferry available. The services in Rosslare and Dún Laoghaire do a fine job for other parts of Ireland but the loss of this ferry in Cork is immense. I cannot stress this enough and I urge that action be taken.

If financial support cannot be provided, surely the Ministers for Transport and Arts, Sport and Tourism could act as facilitators to add weight to the case being made for the restoration of the ferry service. If we are to be without the service for three years, having regard for the economic downturn we are facing, the loss of tourism to this region will have significant consequences for bed and breakfasts, hotels, guest houses and restaurants. We cannot sustain that pressure for another year.