Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1844. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the ferry in Valentia Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26249/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​My Department has no function in the provision or subsidisation of ferry services for this or any other route.

My Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, who administer and award capital grants to develop a wide range of tourism products. However, the Tourism Innovation Capital Investment Programme administered by Fáilte Ireland does not fund infrastructural projects such as car ferry services, which falls outside the scope of projects eligible for grant aid assistance under the scheme.

The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of the Department is responsible for the survey and certification of passenger vessels operating on domestic voyages in the State in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act, 1992, as amended.  I understand that the vessel referred to in the enquiry is the God Met Ons III. This vessel is required by the Act to be surveyed by the MSO at least once each year and requires a Class V Passenger Ship Certificate in order to operate a passenger ship on the route mentioned.

 Whereas the reports of surveys issued by the MSO are confidential to the owner of any  vessel, the MSO does not issue instructions or directions to owners that a particular vessel must be replaced.  This is a decision for the owner to make.  In making this decision an owner may wish to take account of the survey requirements of the MSO in relation to the vessel and in particular regarding the costs likely to be incurred in completing necessary repairs that have been identified by the MSO in connection with the ongoing survey and certification of the vessel concerned.

As ships age, the extent and costs for the owner associated with compliance with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Acts would normally be expected to increase. The point in time when it becomes economically unviable to continue to operate a particular vessel is a commercial decision for the owner/business concerned and is not an issue for the MSO to decide upon.