Swansea East Assembly Member Mike Hedges has today asked First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones to make a statement on what discussions the Welsh Government has had on the future of the Swansea to Cork ferry service.
Speaking in the Assembly chamber during Questions to the First Minister, the Swansea AM highlighted the importance the ferry service has on jobs, tourism and on the wider South West Wales economy.
The Swansea to Cork ferry service first started experiencing difficulties in September 2011, leading to the tour operators running the ferry service, Fastnet Line Ship Holdings, announcing that they were suspending services with immediate effect in November 2011 due to the increase in operational costs and fuel prices.
The company is currently in a state of Irish examinership while a Scheme of Arrangement is drawn up to be presented to the Irish High Court for approval. Fastnet Line Ship Holdings anticipate that around £800,000 is needed to remove the company from examinership in order to resume services.
It is hoped that if funding can be found, the ferry will be back in operation in April 2012.
Speaking from outside the Chamber, Mike Hedges AM said:
“I was disappointed to learn of the financial and operational difficulties the Swansea to Cork ferry service was experiencing last year, which unfortunately led to the service being immediately terminated and placed into examinership.
“Since being set up in March 2010, the Swansea to Cork ferry has provided a vital transport and freight link between Ireland & Britain, which brings in thousands of tourists into Swansea and Wales every year. What’s concerning is that the the Office for National Statistics anticipate that if this service collapses, it could hit the local economy costing in the region of £25million, while also endangering many jobs.
“In September last year, Business Minister Edwina Hart highlighted tourism as being one of its new priority sectors in Wales. Our economic recovery depends on key industries, like the tourism industry, and I therefore believe that it is essential that we maintain this important link and service in order to aid our recovery and safeguard jobs.
“I have previously, along with Assembly and Parliamentary colleagues, written to the Business Minister, outlining my support for the continuation of this service. I decided to raise this matter with the First Minister as I believe that the future of the Swansea to Cork ferry service needs all the support possible if it is to continue.”
In his response to the question, First Minister Carwyn Jones stated that the Welsh Government will continue to work with authorities in Ireland to see what support can be made available, but stressed that the ferry service needs to be commercially viable if it is to continue running.
