Choppy times ahead for Foyle Ferry Service as delegates return North empty handed

The future of the Foyle Ferry Service is in doubt after efforts to find funding for it have failed.

The news comes following yesterday's meeting with the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Transport at the Dáil Éireann and elected representatives from both North and South of the border.

Speaking after the meeting East Derry MLA John Dallat said: “While the meeting was business-like and constructive, it was clear that the prospect of financial support from the Dáil Éireann, certainly in the short term, is not possible.”

Prior to Wednesday’s meeting, Mr Dallat, a long time campaigner for the Ferry Service, insisted on the Ferry’s importance for the Tourism industry on both sides of the border in the North West and said that the Ferry has ‘demonstrated beyond doubt’ the necessity of a service across the Foyle connecting Derry and Donegal.

It will now be up to the Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy, to pursue the issue with Minister Varadkar through North-South bodies or else secure funding through the cross-border Special EU Programmes Body.