Seanad debates

Thursday, 5 March 2009

4:00 pm

Photo of Cecilia KeaveneyCecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)
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I wish to raise an issue of great importance in my constituency. I must declare an interest because both my father, before me, and I, when I was on the council, worked extremely hard to develop the Foyle ferry service. In all respects, including the context of the peace process, it has been one of the most significant cross-Border and cross-community reconciliation projects to have been undertaken in the past decade. Within a short period of its inauguration, 1 million passengers had used the ferry. People who had never been on the Donegal side of the Foyle were coming over to see the scenery or to buy petrol. There is also no doubt but that Coleraine's significant shopping figures last Christmas proved that the car ferry was bringing people there from Donegal.

While I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, for being here to deal with this matter, it may come within the responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern. I am seeking guidance as much as dictating what will happen because a significant issue has arisen. Seven years ago the economies of Donegal County Council and Limavady Borough Council were different than they are now. A couple of years earlier, I managed to get the then Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, to give €4.5 million towards the ferry project, while the International Fund for Ireland contributed €1 million to get it going. As I said, it has been extremely successful.

We are now in a retendering process which, I accept, can be the wrong time to raise such issues. However, this matter must be dealt with now. Magilligan port is a defined slipway for the roll-on/roll-off ferry. It is not elaborate but serves the purpose for which it was created — to cater for the car ferry. It does not have any other uses. The ferry is at the end of a narrow road which serves the port and also serves Magilligan prison. It is not a major access road to any large urban area, but as the ferry service is now up for retendering it should be considered. While some people may not agree, I firmly believe this venture would be competitive and commercially viable in its own right, but it has an economic noose around its neck because it must pay for international security on the Magilligan side. The reality of that status means there must be male and female security staff there at all times so that people can be searched. The gender issue adds to the complications concerning personnel numbers.

The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, was involved in the peace process, which I am sure included the security issue of Border road closures at that time. I can now jump in my car in Moville and drive across any Border crossing — into Derry or Lifford, crossing the Foyle by the new bridge, the two decks of the old bridge, or the bridge between Lifford and Strabane — to Magilligan, arriving at the same location having crossed no international security or permanent checkpoint of any sort. As a result of the peace process this car ferry, that is used extensively, was delivered. I have discussed the matter with people on both sides of the Border because the ferry service has been embraced by all communities in the general area.

Arising from an increase in the number of security checkpoints, people from all sides went on BBC news programmes to state clearly that they disagreed with this increase in security. The problem, however, is that the cost of the security is significant and will cause a great deal of concern for anyone tendering for the ferry project. I have called for the international status to be reviewed and removed. I do not believe Magilligan comes under the right criteria for an international port. It may simply require a change of designation or what is done in Greencastle with excellent closed circuit television coverage being installed.

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister in the North replied to me that the UK Department of Transport's security guidelines require compliance on the part of Magilligan. From a parliamentary question to the Under Secretary of State for Transport tabled by Alan Meale, MP for Mansfield, I understand that the issue is around EC regulation 725/2004. If I can travel to the same point without involving a security check, then I will use that method. The ferry service was a big boost to the north west but this is affecting its success. People would be searched on their way into the port to prevent criminals, illegal immigrants or mass terrorists entering the jurisdiction. From its inception, a cage was put up into which people entered as they left the jurisdiction. It has not served the purpose for which it was established.

From speaking to officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are some trying to ensure what we have we hold. I understand the security concerns but in the north west they do not necessitate the levels of security in place. It is an overreaction which road crossings do not have. Magilligan cannot be seen as an international port in the same way as others. If the Minister of State visited it, he would realise that.

Photo of Martin ManserghMartin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the value and importance of ferry services across Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly. I have a clear memory of crossing Lough Swilly on 14 September 2007 to mark the 400th anniversary of the flight of the earls.

The Department of Transport has no function in the future of the Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly ferry services. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has indicated that it has no function too but that Donegal County Council does provide funding for ferry services on Lough Swilly. The Department has informed me that some funding for the Lough Foyle ferry service was provided by the UK authorities with the balance from Donegal County Council in the past. The responsibility for maritime security in the port facility of Magilligan rests with the British Department for Transport. Officials from the Department of Transport have been in contact with their counterparts in the United Kingdom to consider a proposal that the ferry service as a whole should be considered as a domestic, rather than an international service.

In 1949, at the time of the declaration of the Republic, legislation was passed in the Oireachtas and the British Houses of Parliament which specifically stated that both states did not regard each other as foreign countries. The use of the term "international" seems to be the equivalent of "foreign". It is accepted in the Good Friday Agreement that the Irish nation relates to the whole island of Ireland, although not everybody would wish to describe themselves as Irish. The Department of Transport continues to monitor the situation closely and to seek a satisfactory resolution to the maritime security related difficulties which have arisen in connection with this service.

Senator Keaveney referred to several security related issues. One that can be addressed is continued dissident republican activity which is entirely without purpose or justification. Nationalist public opinion should bring its influence to bear in helping to bring this activity to an end. The Irish News has been doing so heavily since the beginning of this year.

Photo of Cecilia KeaveneyCecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his endorsement that this service should be regarded as a domestic one. I am not concerned about the money aspect to this but I believe it could be a viable commercial venture. I hope the Minister of State will inform the relevant Department of this.