Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment as it is extremely important. The ferry in question is due to have its inaugural sailing on 1 March, which is next Monday. There has been a ferry link for over 60 years from Cork to different parts of Wales, including Pembroke, Swansea and, before my time, Tenby. The service is worth approximately 1,100 jobs to the Cork and Kerry region and we have had two very poor tourism seasons in that area.

This is the third year in which the ferry has not operated and the people of west Cork and Kerry formed a co-operative some months ago with the target of raising €13.5 million to put the ferry service back in operation. I acknowledge that a fund-raising drive by way of selling shares was undertaken in Cork, Kerry and further afield bringing about €4 million from amounts of €10,000 or less. Some 500 people and local businesses were involved in this drive as it is a community-based project. Some €6.3 million was obtained from a Finnish bank and an equity business in Wales contributed €1.7 million, so €12 million has already been committed to the project.

Unfortunately, an outstanding balance is required to ensure the ship is in a sailing condition and the season can get under way. I appeal to the Minister to see that the balance is put up in some form. I am aware that competition rules prohibit the money being given directly. The company is expecting more than 30,000 passengers in 2010 and its initial advertising and bookings process has been substantial.

This service to the region would be a ray of light in some difficult times and it is a must-win case, so funding must be found through the likes of Enterprise Ireland or some other source. Investment is critical and I am appealing to the Minister because we have only days left in which to act. The Welsh Government has apparently put its cards on the table and I ask the responsible Minister to act. The issue may cross several Departments, including the Department of Finance and the Department of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey. It may also involve the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. I know the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who lives in the region, has put tremendous work into this. We are at a critical juncture where time is of the essence, and hours rather than days are left to ensure this ship sails. If it does not sail, the catastrophic consequences to the region will minimise the unfortunate loss of jobs in Dublin and the hangar 6 debacle last week. We are talking about 1,100 jobs here. Tourism is now the third largest industry in Cork and Kerry, and in some areas it is probably the second largest. Towns like Kinsale, Bantry, Schull, Baltimore, Clonakilty, the peninsulas in west Cork, and towns like Killarney, Dingle and Kenmare are very dependant on tourism. That is why I raise this matter and I hope the Minister of State can give a positive response to ensure tourism in the region will get a boost.

The directors, shareholders and people in the area put their best foot forward and went out to collect about €4 million. It is a significant contribution and they did not sit back and expect that money would come down from heaven. There is a financial contribution of slightly more than 10% required to ensure the ferry sails. If we can get up and running this year, the ferry will eventually be cost effective. The previous ferry made money in its last year, but the owner, who was a non-national, sold the ferry with a view to replacing it. He probably got a very good price, but the new ferry, the MV Julia is a much bigger ferry. Not every ferry can operate on the sometimes rough seas between south Wales and Cork.

I keep my fingers crossed that the Minister of State will convey positive news tonight.