B&I sought to close its service from Cork

The newly elected Government led by Garret FitzGerald insisted the B&I Ferries could only close its Cork-Pembroke service in early 1983 if it agreed to maintain a summer service, against the advice of an interdepartmental group.

Management at the ferry company had sought Government approval in Oct 1982 to close the route from Jan 7 the following year.

An interdepartmental group set up by the previous government under Charles Haughey claimed the operation of a summer service between Cork and the Welsh port would raise losses from £800k to £1.3m.