John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said at the outset of this debate, and as the Minister of State mentioned, the reason I have raised this matter is because of the value and importance of the Carlingford Lough ferry not just to the local community in north Louth but also to the local community in south County Down. While I accept that the concept of this is transport related, and perhaps is an issue that rests with the Minister for Transport, it must be considered in the overall context of tourism and cross-Border tourism. I say the latter because nobody uses the ferry to commute to work or reduce their journey time. The ferry is primarily used for tourism and is a really good way to connect communities North and South of the Border. The ferry is also a really good way to promote the region. Ultimately, I am concerned about the Carlingford Lough ferry. The Government should avail of all initiatives as much as possible to ensure cross-Border tourism thrives and is very successful.