Government needs to deliver Tory Island Ferry Service promise, says Doherty

Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty TD told the Government they needed to deliver on a seven-year commitment for a new ferry service to and from Tory Island.

Speaking at Dáil Éireann, Deputy Doherty challenged the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary TD, on the lack of a new ferry service at Tory Island and Magheraroarty on the Irish mainland. 

“It was a commitment given by the Government in 2018 that a ferry would be provided and there was a vote on the island to deal with an issue that had arisen,” said Deputy Doherty. “It was supposed to be delivered within three years, but there is no boat, no ferry and no plans for a ferry anytime soon. Now, there is a condition saying this is attached to a pier, although that had never been the case. There are ferries going in and out of Magheraroarty pier all the time. The Government needs to deliver on the commitment.”

A new boat service at Tory Island, which would be built at the cost of €4 million, would be built and suitable for the “difficult” journey would increase the benefit for both islanders and tourism by reducing the travel time, commented Deputy Doherty. 

It was stated by Deputy Pearse that the Government was not moving ahead with the new ferry service, due to works at Magheraroarty, something which he claimed was “completely separate” to the new ferry service promise. 

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Minister Calleary responded that he had been told there was an “issue” with Magheraroarty Pier, and that Donegal County Council had been awarded funding for a report on that issue.

He also stated that there was still a traditional and  fast ferry service, which was “providing a strong service.”

Minister Calleary said he would visit Magheraroarty in the summer months of 2025, something which was welcomed by Deputy Doherty.

“We are focused on delivering services we have the capacity to deliver, namely those fast sailings and the more traditional sailings, and I will continue to support those services,” stated Minister Calleary.

“I have far greater belief in getting to see something for myself and engaging with the community on the ground when we do that, as I will do over the summer.”