Residents on islands off the Galway coast should be afforded an increased subsidised service on ferries to and from the mainland – as existing transport costs to individual passengers are proving prohibitive.

That’s according to former Gaeltacht Minister Eamon Ó Cuív who raised the matter in the Dáil last week – only to find that the Government Department with the power to make any fare cut is holding firm to current rates.

The Fianna Fáil Deputy has repeatedly asked that fares on contracted ferry services for local residents be reduced by 20% – on top of the existing cut currently in place.

The Galway West TD has now raised the matter in the Dáil on three occasions – but the Department of Rural and Community Development has resisted the suggestion on the basis that there are both contracted and private ferries operating a service between the mainland and the islands.

He is looking to lower the transport charges for islanders on subsidised services to the islands in line with the fare reduction in rail and bus services on the mainland.

The Deputy was referring to the service provided from Ros a’Mhíl to the islands but has been told that all of the contracted air, ferry and cargo services managed by the Department were procured in an open and fair process.

For further coverage, Connacht Tribune has the story.

The Galway Ocean Sports Centre will be formally launched by Éamon Ó Cuív Minister for Social Protection and Defence on Friday 18th February at 5:30pm.

The centre will provide facilities for all the watersports organisations in the city and region and is located in the new Galway Harbour Enterprise Park adjacent to the new harbour slipway that was built specifically for the Volvo Ocean Race in 2009. The 25,000 sq ft premises is being provided by Cold Chon (Galway) Ltd for a nominal rent and the land is being provided free by Galway Harbour Company.

Some of the clubs that have already committed to this new facility include the Galway Sea Scouts, Galway Sea Sports Association, Galway Sub Aqua Club, Bádoiri an Cladaigh, OYTI, Galway Coastal Rowing, Kayak Mor and Galway Bay Sailing Club.

'The Harbour Company is pleased to assist in pulling together the various water sport bodies under one roof and in the heart of the harbour. The new facility and the recently constructed slipway will be the focal point for Galway's marine leisure, getting Galwegians afloat and established in the city, commented Harbour Master', Captain Brian Sheridan.

The Centre is also hosting Let's Do It Global which ran the very successful Green Dragon campaign and the Galway Volvo Ocean Race Festival. The team is now working towards hosting a spectacular finish to the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 in July 2012.

The centre will provide operational facilities such as offices, changing rooms and storage facilities. There will be no social amenities or bars at the centre however it is anticipated that the establishment of the centre will provide impetus for attracting further watersport events to Galway.

The launch will take place at The Galway Ocean Sports Centre, Galway Harbour Enterprise Park, Galway City.