Tory community demands seeks extension of current ferry contract

A public meeting on Tory Island at the weekend has heard there is a total loss of confidence in the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with less than three weeks to go before the current ferry service is to be replaced.
Islanders have again said they do not believe the replacement ferry, Queen of Aran, is suitable for the journey, and they want all contracts reviewed.
Yesterday’s meeting restated the islanders’ objections to what the department is proposing, called for the extension of the current contract, which is due to cease on March 31st.
Last week, the department proposed a second tender for a smaller passenger vessel to run alongside the Queen of Aran, but the islanders say that’s not enough, and there is now a complete lack of confidence in the system.
The agreed statement issued after the meeting says the Tory community wants the department to extend the current contract to Turasmara and the Tor Mór ferry, break the Queen of Aran contract which is to run from 2018 to 2023, and delay the tender of a second contract the first tender is fully evaluated.