Hopes to berth cruise ship in Killybegs for Ukrainian refugees

Some 1,750 Ukrainian refugees could be housed on a cruise ship in Killybegs, following a proposal by local businessmen.
The plan would see refugees temporarily housed on a cruise ship docked in the fishing port. The document was submitted last September to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth by the group, which includes the former Killybegs harbour master, Captain J Kelly.
The proposal aims to ease current accommodation problems by housing refugees on the ship on the north side of the pier, which, they claim, would not obstruct fishing boats or interfere with local businesses.
“As a group of Donegal businessmen with extensive marine industry and managerial experience, we propose to manage the following solution on behalf of the Government to provide accommodation for up to 1,750 Ukrainian refugees,” a spokesman for the group, Philip Mulville, told DonegalLive.

“These cruise ships can provide technical crew, hotel crew, and catering crew for a full service on board. In addition, cruise ships can provide medical services, space for educational services and cultural activities, gym and exercise facilities, storage, WiFi,” he said.
The group claim jobs could be created onboard for people from the locality. Educational services would be provided online for refugees, according to the group.  
In October 2022, the businessmen visited Minster Roderic O’Gorman’s office and provided a hard copy of the original proposal and an update regarding the availability of a suitable vessel. In late December the group received a reply from the minister’s office rejecting the plan citing several concerns.
Among the concerns were the fact the port is naturally busy with fishing, as well as security, existing business and ongoing construction work. The department was also concerned that the vessel would be present for an “undefined period of time.”
However, other groups throughout the country have proposed the use of cruise ships to house Ukrainian refugees.

The Government is understood to be considering using flotels - floating accommodation - in a bid to secure much-needed accommodation for refugees.
A spokesperson from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth told DonegalLive: “The Department has received a number of offers of ‘floating accommodation’ in recent times.
“Following detailed investigation and analysis of its use, and in consultation with various stakeholders including the Maritime Unit, Department of Transport, the Department is expected to publish a request for tender for same shortly on eTenders seeking floating accommodation, for International Protection Applicants. There are currently no timelines on any potential publication which is subject to first finalising berth(s).”

The businessmen had submitted a comprehensive reply to the minister in late January addressing each of the concerns raised, and requesting a meeting, given that similar proposals have been successfully implemented in Estonia, Scotland and the Netherlands. To date, no direct reply to this meeting request has been received.
“The port is owned by the Government and the minister can make a ministerial order to put the vessel in the port - he has the authority to do that,” Mr Mulville added. “If there was the political will, a cruise ship could quickly be secured and then berthed at Killybegs Port to house Ukrainian refugees on a temporary basis.
The group, who are in consultation with a shipping company to secure a vessel, says there is a berth available in Killybegs. There, it can join the pier ‘stern on,’ where traffic can easily get in and out.
“That was one thing that was requested by the shipping company, to ease the flow of people, machinery, refuse - having the vessel stern on means the rear end of the vessel sides up to the pier,” Mr Mulville added.
“That is how people go in and out - it takes up around 30 metres of space so it would minimise any impact.
“The berth is there, it is available, and it is specially designed for that. The company we would like to partner with has all the expertise and experience needed, and an appropriate vessel is currently available.”