O'CUIV HITS OUT AT DEPT DECISION ON INIS MOR FERRY TICKET SUBSIDIES

Date Published: 18-Mar-2013

Galway West TD Eamon O'Cuiv has hit out at the government's decision not to initiate another tendering process for the Inis Mor Ferry contract.

Ferry travel fares for the largest of the Aran Islands increased from 8 to 15 euro last month (Feb) after the government contract ceased.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht says that since no application was received to the last tender process in December 2012, it does not intend to iniatiate another at this point, despite calls to do so.

Other proposals to consider subsidised tickets for islanders were considered but the Department has also confirmed it is not intended to develop such a scheme in the short-term.

Fianna Fail Deputy Eamon O'Cuiv has called for a further review and says the islanders should have the same public transport rights as those in the mainland.