The Lough Swilly Ferry service, which links Rathmullan and Buncrana, is to begin sailing again this summer thanks to funding that will allow the service to operate for the next four years.
However, local public representatives are at odds as to who should be funding the ferry service.
Speaking earlier today on the issue, Councillor Nicholas Crossan welcomed the news.
He said “For the first time now since the ferry started we’ve managed to secure it for four years which will give visitors time to plan their holidays in advance.”
Crossan said that funding is coming out of a members fund and that “We’ve argued the point that it should be funded by the county council… it should be out of the budget,” but was still excited to get the ball rolling.
“The executives of Donegal county council had been in negotiations with the operator since last September and we’re delighted that it has been secured for the next four years. ”
However, Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn is more apprehensive over the ferry’s funding.
He said “While I welcome the four-year guarantee, a good sum of money is being taken from Donegal community groups such as the GAA, Tidy Towns etc, not a cent is coming from central government.”
Mac Lochlainn said that it wasn’t fair on these groups, who are now having their funding taken away from them:
“Those two ferries should be funded by the Central Irish Government.”
The Minister of State for Tourism and Transport Patrick O’Donovan will be meeting with Donegal County Council next week to discuss the issue.
Senator Mac Lochlainn is hopeful that Minister O’Donovan will be able to resolve the issue.
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