The dispute over a new ferry service for Toraigh off the coast of Donegal has been resolved.
This afternoon, islanders voted by a narrow margin to accept the proposals of the independent mediator in their dispute with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht over the new ferry service which is due to come into operation between the island and the mainland from 1 April.
Mediator Pól Ó Gallchóir recommended that two services be provided for the island from 1 April.
One would be the disputed vessel, the Queen of Aran, which the islanders have argued is not suitable for the difficult crossing, and the second would be a ferry service for 12 passengers.
Mr Ó Gallchóir is proposing that the Department fund this second service and that it would make two return journeys a day, seven days a week.
This service would continue until a new purpose-built boat is provided for the island.
This afternoon, in a meeting which was described as tense, islanders and people living on the mainland with homes on Toraigh, voted by 112 to 103 in favour of the proposals.
Government Chief Whip, Minister for Gaeilge, an Gaeltacht and the Islands and Donegal TD, Joe McHugh, welcomed the outcome and said the Department will move to meet its commitments as part of the report.
He thanked Mr Ó Gallchóir for his efforts over the past ten days and the islanders for the hard work and time they put into the process.
"Now that ferry, cargo and transport services to and from the island are secure we should look forward to Toraigh becoming a place where more and more people will want to visit, live and stay in the coming years," he said.
