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Colleagues lobby Murphy on Foyle
ferry
26.02.09
NORTHERN Regional
Development Minister Conor Murphy is looking at ways
he might fund the Greencastle to Magilligan ferry,
according to Sinn Féin in Inishowen.
Mr Murphy last week ruled out the possibility of
funding but has since been lobbied on the issue by
his colleagues Cllr Pádraig MacLochlainn and local
election candidate Sean Ruddy.
The two met Minister Murphy at the party's Ard Fheis
in Dublin at the weekend.
They explained: "It is clear from our meeting with
Minister Conor Murphy that he is trying to find
solutions to the funding challenge of the Foyle
ferry. |
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"He recognises the
importance of the ferry service and the need to
explore with other Departments, north and south, and
also Limavady and Donegal Councils whether there are
other options available that might help the service.
He wants to be involved in that process with his
Department and has committed to do so."
The pair hit out at recent |
criticisms of Mr Murphy
claiming it was part of an "ongoing anti-Sinn Féin
alliance of Fianna Fàil, SDLP and Fine Gael in the
North West".
"Minister Conor Murphy's department does not have
responsibility for the Lough Foyle ferry service and
contrary to recent media reports has not provided
financial support in the past since its provision
currently lies outside that department's
legislation.
"However, since no other department would accept the
recent adjournment debate in the Assembly on the
issue, Minister Murphy did so in an attempt to find
solutions to what is clearly an important
cross-border link.
"He has undertaken to raise the matter with the
British Transport Minister in relation to the
current security measures being imposed and also
with the Councils currently funding the service and
his counterpart in Dublin, Noel Dempsey," added
MacLochlainn and Ruddy in a joint statement. |
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