12 Jan 2000
Scotland Office Minister, Brian Wilson will meet Northern Ireland Executive Minister Sir Reg Empey in London tomorrow (Thursday 13 January) to discuss the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service.
Mr Wilson said:
"As part of the ongoing effort to secure the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service it is essential to establish the level of support that exists for it in Northern Ireland. I believe it would be very unfortunate if this service connecting two relatively rural areas was to be lost.
"In the current climate we should be looking at strengthening connections rather than losing services which already exist. I believe that this service has good prospects, especially in the light of the changes that have taken place in Northern Ireland.
"It is also true of course that at both Campbeltown and Ballycastle there has been substantial investment of public funds, including ERDF, in order to create terminal facilities. It is important that full use is made of this investment.
"I look forward to my meeting with Sir Reg in order to jointly explore how we can take forward the case for retaining this service."