Minister’s silence on Valentia Ferry a snub to voters

SIR, On December 11th 2017 I raised a number of questions with Minister Shane Ross in relation to the Valentia Car ferry, including the following: “It is my understanding that the company responsible for the ferry is fighting for its very survival and attempting to buy some time to keep it in service for two more years if successful.

“With that in mind it is evident that the regulations surrounding funding are no longer fit for purpose and therefore need to be amended. I now call on you, and publicly through The Kerryman newspaper, to seek to amend the regulations through the European Union and bring about legislative change to ensure that such a vital public service is not excluded. An addendum needs to be encompassed to make provision for said ferry, and or similar, to take into account its extenuating circumstances and the extraordinarily unique service it provides. The Irish Government might need to seek legal guidance to bring this change about via The European Parliament.”

On December 18 I received an acknowledgement from Chris Smith, Private Secretary to Minister Shane Ross, informing me that a response would be forthcoming. Three months on and I have not received a reply, despite sending a second request for an update. I am aware of two other persons who have also been left without a response regarding this matter.

Minister Ross’s apparent ‘no comment’ stance gives me the impression that, having been elected to represent the views of the electorate, he has chosen to ignore those views and do nothing. Is that representation? He is accountable to the 250,000 passengers that use the ferry each season and the 5,000 plus who signed the petition to save the vessel.

Ireland is part of the EU and part of the mechanism capable of bringing about legislative change, so why is Minister Ross refusing to consider this as an option or to even comment onit?

Secondly, I directed a question to the minister seeking clarity as to whether the Aran Island cruise ship had received any government funding towards its €3 million purchase cost? Again, Minister Ross failed to comment.

I am aware that the management company of the Valentia Ferry has had to invest a considerable sum of money to make the vessel seaworthy for another two years, money that could have been invested into a new craft. A week is a long time in politics and two years gives Minister Ross the opportunity to bring about legislative change via the EU and prove that he is not detached from rural Ireland. It also gives him the opportunity to continue to say and do absolutely nothing. I know which one my money is on!

Sincerely, Bill McNamara, Coaramore, Valentia.

The Valentia Ferry – a vital service that is being ignored by the Government.