Displaying items by tag: Calls for cuts

11th July 2022

Former Gaeltacht Minister Calls for Additional Cuts on Ferry Travel Costs to Islanders

Former Gaeltacht Minister Eamon Ó Cuív T.D. calls for increased ferry subsidied service for residents of the Aran Islands. Above, AFLOAT adds is the Saoirse Na Farraige berthed at Kilronan Harbour on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands off the Galway coast. Kilronan has routes linking Ros a’Mhíl (Connemara), Galway City and Doolin in neighbouring Co. Clare and inter-island services. Aran Islands Ferries-twitter

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.

Published in Ferry

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.