‘Keep your noses out of our ports’

MICHAEL HEALY RAE SAYS PORTS TRYING TO STOP CRUISES IN KERRY

KERRY Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae is accusing the major ports in Ireland of making a concerted effort to stop Cruise ships from visiting Valentia Harbour and Ballinskelligs Bay.

Over the last 12 months a group have been working in South Kerry to have Valentia Harbour and Ballinskelligs Bay included in the Fáilte Ireland funded “All Ireland Cruise Strategy.”

A report on the strategy was commissioned from TDI tourism consultants in conjunction with GP Wild Cruise consultants from the UK.

Having visited the area the experts hired to prepare the strategy said in their draft report that Valentia “should be identified as the key destination on the South West due to its safe anchorage and access to key authentic Irish experiences available within one hours drive, primarily the Ring of Kerry and Killarney.”

Since the draft report was completed in late 2015, it has been the topic of considerable debate among the main Irish ports who according to Deputy Healy-Rae “do not want this to happen.” He went on to claim: “They are making clear efforts to disregard the West Coast of Ireland particularly efforts have been made to remove South Kerry from the report”.

Deputy Healy-Rae said it would be a major blow for the area if it is omitted from the final report.

“It will be devastating for the area because in stopping these cruise ships of coming to south Kerry it doesn’t mean they will go to the bigger ports, it is quite simply a case of the bigger ports do not want us to have the business full stop, even if those ships are not going to go to their destination.”

“The main ports should keep their nose out of Kerry and not interfering with great efforts being made by people who want to bring more tourism and business to our counties” said Deputy Healy-Rae.