NO SOLUTION YET TO INISHMORE FERRY PRICE CONTROVERSY

Date Published: 08-Feb-2013

The Gaeltacht Minister is unable to offer a guarantee on reducing ferry prices for residents of the Aran Island of Inis Mor.

Three representatives of the Island including Manager of the co-op Cathy Ní Ghoill met with Dinny McGinley in Furbo this afternoon.

Islanders now plan to request a meeting with the ferry provider and roinn na Gaeltachta.

The Government ferry contract ceased last week after no tenders were received and negotiations with the existing provider failed.

The provider had sought an increase which the department said it was not in a position to sanction and ferry travel fares have now increased from 8 to 15 euro.

Concerns regarding the air service subsidy were also raised and it's understood a decision on the matter will be announced at the end of this month.

Cathy Ni Ghoill says while a number of proposals were made at this afternoons meeting, there is still no solution to the ferry price increase