Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the vessel [i]MV Stenland[/i] has been sold; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this vessel was Lasta Mara Teo's back-up vessel for the island subsidy; the vessel that is now acting as back-up vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21543/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Lasta Mara Teo has a contract with my Department to provide a cargo service to the Aran Islands for the 5-year period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012, using the vessels 'Bláth na Mara' and 'Madelen' as main vessels. Under the terms of the contract, the company is also required to maintain access to a back-up vessel registered under the name 'Stenland' or an equivalent type vessel, to be of a standard approved by the Minister for use when either of the main vessels may be unavailable to provide the service.

My Department has agreed to Lasta Mara's request to nominate the 'Madelen' as back-up vessel as the company wished to avail of an opportunity to sell the 'Stenland.' In agreeing to this alteration to the terms of the contract, regard was had to the satisfactory service being provided by the company, the very few occasions on which the 'Stenland' was actually required as the back-up vessel and an assurance from the company that another vessel that it has acquired will also be available for the service, if the need arises.