The tense standoff between Tory islanders and the Government over the introduction of a new ferry service has ended after an agreement was reached today.
The Government plans to introduce a new boat, the Queen of Aran, for the 150 islanders on April 1st next.
But islanders vowed to stop the boat from landing at the pier claiming the boat is not suitable for the crossing.
Afer numerous protests and meetings, an independent report by former TG4 boss Pól Ó Gallchóir was put before locals last night at a meeting on the island.
Having met on the issue, islanders voted today to accept the recommendations in the report.
Among the recommendations carried out by Mr Ó Gallchóir’s was a fast ferry service, maximum 12 seater, should run twice daily from April 1 2018, complementary to the Queen of Aran service which is due to begin on the same date.
Government Chief Whip, Minister for Gaeilge, an Gaeltacht and the Islands and Donegal TD Joe McHugh has welcomed the resolution of the dispute over the Tory Island ferry service.
Islanders agreed to accept Mr Ó Gallchóir’s recommendations in a vote taken today following a public meeting last night.
Minister McHugh said: “I would like to thank Pól Ó Gallchóir for his efforts over the last 10 days.
“We want to support our island communities and I’m grateful for the hard work and time the people of Tory have put into this process in recent days.
“I also want to thank them for giving their support to Pol O Gallchoir’s recommendations.
“The Department will move to meet its commitments as part of the report.
“Now that ferry, cargo and transport services to and from the island are secure we should look forward to Tory becoming a place where more and more people will want to visit, live and stay in the coming years.”
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