Forum to re-establish ferry route proposed

CORK County Council was “hoodwinked” into believing there was no EU funding for a tourist ferry to Britain, it has been claimed.

Former county mayor John O’Shea proposed the setting-up of a public forum to re-establish the Cork Swansea ferry link.

A new ferry had been promised last year, he said, and everybody took the commitment in the good faith it was given.

“The ferry was due to be up and running this year,” said the Fine Gael councillor. “But we were too trustworthy and, this year, there is no ferry and there are severe pressure points in the tourist industry in West Cork.”

Mr O’Shea suggested to the monthly meeting of the council that public meetings in support of a ferry should be held in every village and town from Allihies in Beara to Youghal as a first step in setting up The Cork Swansea Ferry Forum.

An eight-month tourist season had become a four-month season and a number of tourism-related facilities had been forced to close.

Mr O’Shea said an unpublished survey showed 74% of Britons who had used the ferry had previously visited the southwest, with 38% booking accommodation solely in Cork.

He said the council had been hoodwinked by “people in authority” that there was no state funding available for ferries. An EU document which he presented showed funding was available for passenger ferries.

Mr O’Shea said Britain received €60 million for the channel rail tunnel while other substantial EU aid was allocated to other developments in Europe. He said: “Not one minister stood up to support the ferry which was the lifeblood of tourism in southwest Cork.

“To see a car with an English or European registration in the area is a rarity, they are as scarce as hens’ teeth. I am sick of hoodwink and hogwash.”

However, acting county manager Theresa White warned the creation of a new forum could create another talking shop. The council itself was the main forum in the county, so she suggested the council make its views on the issue known to the Government rather than setting up a forum.

The council, she said, should enlist the support of local authorities in Swansea, Cork city and Kerry County Council. She added that senior council officials were aware of the strong commercial interest in re-establishing the ferry link and, also, the importance of the ferry to the region. The council, said Ms White, had already committed funding to market the ferry.