Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. The only bit of encouraging news in her response was her statement that the Minister of State, Deputy McGinley "is open to undertaking any reasonable steps" to ensure a year-round service can be maintained. There is a dilemma in this response. The operator is saying this route is not profitable. That is why he did not see any point in tendering. It was not possible when the negotiations took place. The Minister of State referred to "a service that is, by all accounts, profitable without a subsidy". The operator is saying that is not the case. Does that mean the Government is prepared to leave the islanders without a service? I have put the facts to the Minister of State - the numbers are falling, the costs are increasing and tourist numbers are decreasing. The people of this island must be entitled to everything to which the Minister of State and I are entitled. They must have the same rights. We are letting them disappear. What is going to happen?