Ferry - Email your support

[John S]

The N Ireland office minister responsible for the delay is Liverpool MP Maria Eagle, here is her email address please email her and complain - eaglem@parliament.uk also her official under secretaries address sian.mccleave@nio.x.gsi.gov.uk


Heres a news release from a ferry website. www.aferry.to which sums up the current position.



Northern Irish silence over ferry bids delay
09 September 2006
The Northern Ireland Office yesterday refused to reveal why it is
holding up the tendering of the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry.

Two parties successfully filled in pre-qualification questionnaires in
April to allow them to be considered as potential operators to reintroduce
the Argyll -Ireland ferry link.

One party, headed by Pentland Ferries, was informed by the Scottish
Executive at that time that the tender documents would be with them "in six
weeks". But more than four months later the tender documents have still not
been issued for the route, which people in Kintyre see as a sure way of
boosting the local economy.

An agreement was reached between the Scottish Executive and the
Northern Ireland office long ago that the ferry project would be a joint
partnership.

The executive promised annual funding of £750,000, for a £1million
subsidy for the route for the next five years, while the Irish agreed to
fund the remaining £250,000 a year.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive confirmed on August 31 that
the delay in tendering was being caused by the Northern Ireland Office.

She said: "The transport minister is in dialogue with the Northern
Ireland Office and has expressed his disappointment at the time being taken,
but we hope to have a resolution as soon as possible."

As yet another week passed with no progress on the route's
reintroduction, the Press and Journal contacted the Northern Ireland Office.

But a spokeswoman for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and
Investment would only say: "This is currently with Enterprise Minister Maria
Eagle for consideration."

Asked the reason for the delay, the spokeswoman said she could not
comment.

Several people closely connected with the ferry plans claim the
Northern Ireland Office is playing "political games" to put pressure on the
Northern Ireland Assembly - which remains suspended - to meet again. But the
department spokeswoman refused to comment on these suggestions.

[Kevin Mc]

I've emailed her.

[John S]

Good on ye Kevin,

I had a reply today from Sian so they are getting through. Anyone else had feedback?

[oorly gourlay]

John S , sorry I missed this post due to holidays but my tuppence worth has been sent. There does not seem to be the same enthusiasm that there was earlier in the year to take a hold of this issue but as you have said, the more pressure that can be brought to bear the better.

I hope that I get more of a response from the NI Office than I ever did from "our" MSP, the Lyon King, who, incidentally, is up for re-election next year.

oorly

[general jack o'niell]

posted

[Surfbored]

DOH !!! - not this again

[dgraves]

John S , sorry I missed this post due to holidays but my tuppence worth has been sent. There does not seem to be the same enthusiasm that there was earlier in the year to take a hold of this issue but as you have said, the more pressure that can be brought, the better

I agree, Oorly. I'm sure there is no waning of interest, but just disappointent over delays. I put in my 'two cents' as a tourist.

[John S]

Its the utter contempt with which the the ferry is being treated that is so annoying.