James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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662. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will conduct a review of the decision to remove the contract from a company (details supplied) that operates a ferry service to and from Tory Island; if her Department will consult with the community of Tory Island in order to ascertain their opinions on the type of service that should operate on the island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14103/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The contract with Turasmara is a five year contract, which expires on 31 March 2018. In accordance with public procurement rules, the Department ran an open tender competition for the provision of a passenger and light cargo ferry service for Toraigh Island. Prior to seeking tenders, my Department consulted with the island co-operative in order to obtain the views of the island community regarding the service.  

Two tenders were received and, following evaluation, the contract for this service was awarded to the company, Réalt na Maidne Teo, using the vessel, MV Queen of Aran. This contract will come into effect from 1 April 2018 and will run for a 5 year period.