Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I also raise the issue of the loss of the ferry service from Dún Laoghaire. I thank Senators Norris and Mooney for raising it. It is "Dunleary" to the people living there and I have lived there since I was 12. I used to listen to the sound of the foghorn from the boat as I went to sleep at night. It is a very sad day for people living in the area. I point out the work done by some of the local people in Glasthule to recognise the plight of the forgotten Irish, the people who left on the mail boat, as it was known, some of whom never returned. Last year we had a very poignant reunion in Dún Laoghaire of people who came back from London, some from the likes of Cricklewood, who had never returned to Ireland. It was a moving and evocative meeting of people whose first sight of Dún Laoghaire after all those years was Pigeon House and the Spire. Dún Laoghaire is a wonderful and very beautiful place.

When Stena took over the service in Dún Laoghaire 20 years ago there was great hope it would put in resources. Initially we had the Seacat and the main ferry service but, over time, this reverted to the main ferry service, which became seasonal. Now, we have nothing at all. That is because the service was completely neglected.