Decision on Foyle Ferry Service put on hold after meeting on Friday

Directors of the Foyle Ferry Service have put on hold any decision about the future of the 12 year old service which has carried more than 2 million passengers between Greencastle and Magilligan since its inception.
TDs and Councillors from all political parties in the Republic met the directors on Friday to hear at first hand the financial implications if the service was to continue without subvention.
Also attending was East Derry SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat who has raised the future of the Ferry Service on the floor of the Northern Ireland Assembly on a number of occasions.
He said: ‘I regard this meeting as very positive and constructive and hopefully leading to a long-term solution which will ensure the future of this ferry service which has played a major role in the development of tourism both in Donegal and in the North over the last 12 years.
‘We need to find a short-term solution to ensure the service resumes in the Spring but it is also imperative that ministers in Dail Eireann and the Northern Ireland Assembly recognise the need to jointly fund the future operation of the service to ensure its long-term viability.
‘The amount of money needed is miniscule compared to the amount of case spent on the Strangford Ferry and given the will and commitment it should be possible to convince the directors of the Foyle Ferry Service to continue ferrying cars and passengers across the Foyle for the foreseeable future.
‘Over the next few weeks meetings will be arranged with various bodies to ensure that the strategy worked out today delivers for the people North and South of the border.’