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Northern Irish silence over ferry bids delay
The Northern Ireland Office yesterday refused to reveal why it is holding up the tendering of the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry.
Two parties successfully filled in pre-qualification questionnaires in April to allow them to be considered as potential operators to reintroduce the Argyll -Ireland ferry link.
One party, headed by Pentland Ferries, was informed by the Scottish Executive at that time that the tender documents would be with them "in six weeks". But more than four months later the tender documents have still not been issued for the route, which people in Kintyre see as a sure way of boosting the local economy.
An agreement was reached between the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland office long ago that the ferry project would be a joint partnership.
The executive promised annual funding of £750,000, for a £1million subsidy for the route for the next five years, while the Irish agreed to fund the remaining £250,000 a year.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive confirmed on August 31 that the delay in tendering was being caused by the Northern Ireland Office.
She said: "The transport minister is in dialogue with the Northern Ireland Office and has expressed his disappointment at the time being taken, but we hope to have a resolution as soon as possible."
As yet another week passed with no progress on the route's reintroduction, the Press and Journal contacted the Northern Ireland Office.
But a spokeswoman for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment would only say: "This is currently with Enterprise Minister Maria Eagle for consideration."
Asked the reason for the delay, the spokeswoman said she could not comment.
Several people closely connected with the ferry plans claim the Northern Ireland Office is playing "political games" to put pressure on the Northern Ireland Assembly - which remains suspended - to meet again. But the department spokeswoman refused to comment on these suggestions.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor, who has written to the First Minister demanding action, said the executive should get the tenders out, fund the Irish subsidy contribution and then worry about reclaiming the cash.
Mr McGrigor said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. There have been two election promises that there is going to be a Campbeltown ferry and I think it's scandalous if the people of Campbeltown and Kintyre have to wait because of some gerrymandering."
Argyll MSP George Lyon expressed concern that delays could cause potential operators to pull out and said: "I am totally exasperated that it is now more than two months since the Scottish Executive sought agreement from the Northern Ireland Office to move to the next stage of tendering. It appears to be caught up in the internal Northern Ireland politics."
Two parties successfully filled in pre-qualification questionnaires in April to allow them to be considered as potential operators to reintroduce the Argyll -Ireland ferry link.
One party, headed by Pentland Ferries, was informed by the Scottish Executive at that time that the tender documents would be with them "in six weeks". But more than four months later the tender documents have still not been issued for the route, which people in Kintyre see as a sure way of boosting the local economy.
An agreement was reached between the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland office long ago that the ferry project would be a joint partnership.
The executive promised annual funding of £750,000, for a £1million subsidy for the route for the next five years, while the Irish agreed to fund the remaining £250,000 a year.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive confirmed on August 31 that the delay in tendering was being caused by the Northern Ireland Office.
She said: "The transport minister is in dialogue with the Northern Ireland Office and has expressed his disappointment at the time being taken, but we hope to have a resolution as soon as possible."
As yet another week passed with no progress on the route's reintroduction, the Press and Journal contacted the Northern Ireland Office.
But a spokeswoman for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment would only say: "This is currently with Enterprise Minister Maria Eagle for consideration."
Asked the reason for the delay, the spokeswoman said she could not comment.
Several people closely connected with the ferry plans claim the Northern Ireland Office is playing "political games" to put pressure on the Northern Ireland Assembly - which remains suspended - to meet again. But the department spokeswoman refused to comment on these suggestions.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor, who has written to the First Minister demanding action, said the executive should get the tenders out, fund the Irish subsidy contribution and then worry about reclaiming the cash.
Mr McGrigor said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. There have been two election promises that there is going to be a Campbeltown ferry and I think it's scandalous if the people of Campbeltown and Kintyre have to wait because of some gerrymandering."
Argyll MSP George Lyon expressed concern that delays could cause potential operators to pull out and said: "I am totally exasperated that it is now more than two months since the Scottish Executive sought agreement from the Northern Ireland Office to move to the next stage of tendering. It appears to be caught up in the internal Northern Ireland politics."
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