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08-06-25 Freeze Rathlin Ferry Handover Urges Allister
08-06-25 Freeze Rathlin Ferry Handover Urges Allister
“Deficiencies in the ferry service being operated at Cape Clear in the Republic of
Ireland by Ciaran O’Driscoll are well documented. My primary concern is to ensure
that the Rathlin ferry service will not suffer in similar terms.
While a robust Government tendering exercise should have been an appropriate
safeguard, I have my own serious reservations about the tender process itself.”
“Until we have confirmation from the NI Audit Office, that all aspects of the
tendering process were above board, and carried out without undue political
influence, and from the MCA that all safety considerations have been met, I believe
the service should remain with its current operator. I have intimated this in a letter to
the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Regional Development.
Safety and efficiency must be the primary concern for the award of any public
contract. For these reasons, it would be foolish to rush into an irreversible step at this
time.”
ENDS