Commenting on the failure to attract any interest in operating a restored Ballycastle to Campbelltown ferry service, North Antrim MLA Seán Farren said:
“It is now seems clear that a ferry service on the basis proposed up to now is not going to be restored. The investment required for the likely return is not seen as justified by ferry operators. This is particularly the case given that the service would have had to operate during winter months when traffic volumes would be low.
“Since the only period of the year likely to see a healthy return on the investment required is the tourist season the time has now come to re-examine how links between North Antrim and Scotland can best be developed in the interests of tourism.
“Questions need to be raised about the most appropriate destinations in Scotland for a service out of Ballycastle. Destinations other than Campbelltown need to be considered as well as the kind of tourism activities that could be built around new links with the North-West of Scotland and the Isles.
“Questions also need to be raised about the kind of vessel that could operate a fast, probably passenger only service that would be attractive for short as well as long stay visitors.
“I intend to be contact with a range of tourist interests so that all of these questions can now be examined and a proper strategy developed that would see viable links developed.”