Tory Island Ferry Commitment Still Unfulfilled Eight Years On
In a recent development, Donegal TD and Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance, Deputy Pearse Doherty, has questioned the Minister for Rural and Community Development on the failure to deliver a new ferry to service Tory Island. According to Donegal News, the Minister agreed to visit Magheraroarty pier later in the summer and meet with Deputy Doherty to discuss the matter further.
The commitment to provide a new ferry to Tory Island was first made by the government in 2018, with a promise to deliver it within three years. However, eight years on, there is still no sign of the new ferry. Deputy Doherty expressed his concerns, stating: "It was a commitment that was given by the government in 2018 that a new ferry would be provided. It was supposed to be delivered within three years. There is no ferry and no plans for a ferry coming anytime soon."
Deputy Doherty also highlighted that the condition of the pier in Magheraroarty should not be a barrier to delivering the new ferry. "There are ferries going in and out of Magheraroarty Pier all the time. You need to deliver on the commitment. It’s eight years on and that ferry is nowhere to be seen. It’s nowhere in the planning stages. It’s nowhere in the design stages," he said.
The Sinn Féin TD stressed that issues around Magheraroarty pier are separate to Tory Island and should not be used as an excuse for delaying the ferry project. "And what we heard from your predecessor was that now ‘we aren’t actually moving ahead with that at the minute. We are still committed to it, but the reason we aren’t moving ahead with it is because we have to do work at Magheraroarty’. The point I’m making to you is that Magheraroarty is completely separate," he said.
Deputy Doherty asked the Minister if his department is still committed to the proposal put forward in 2018 to deliver the new ferry and if it will be decoupled from the Magheraroarty pier project. He welcomed the Minister’s commitment to meet with representatives of the Tory Island community and himself to discuss the matter further.
The lack of progress on the Tory Island ferry project has been a source of frustration for the local community, who are eagerly awaiting the replacement of the current ferry. As reported by Donegal News, Deputy Doherty’s questions to the Minister highlight the need for urgent action to deliver on the government’s commitment.
In a related matter, residents of Tory Island and local stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the Minister’s visit to Magheraroarty pier, which is expected to take place later in the summer. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the community to express their concerns and reiterate the need for a new ferry to service the island.
The delay in delivering the new ferry has significant implications for the Tory Island community, who rely on the ferry service for transportation and access to essential services. As the issue continues to unfold, Donegal News will provide updates on the progress of the project and the government’s response to the concerns raised by Deputy Doherty and the local community.
The people of Tory Island deserve a reliable and efficient ferry service, and it is imperative that the government delivers on its commitment to provide a new ferry. With the Minister’s visit to Magheraroarty pier approaching, the community remains hopeful that tangible progress will be made on this critical issue.
As Deputy Doherty emphasised, "I want to ask you, is your department committed to the proposal you put to the island in 2018 to deliver that and will you uncouple it with Magheraroarty and deliver on this project?" The Minister’s response to this question and the concerns raised by Deputy Doherty will be crucial in determining the future of the Tory Island ferry project.
The Tory Island community and local stakeholders will be watching closely as this issue continues to develop, and Donegal News will provide comprehensive coverage of the story as more information becomes available.
