MHK and former DoI minister queries whether flagship vessel is 'too big'
There are no plans to operate the Manxman between the Isle of Man and Dublin.
That’s from the treasury minister who told the House of Keys this week that the Steam Packet’s flagship vessel is currently limited to Heysham, Liverpool and Belfast.
Alex Allinson was grilled by his political colleagues about why the Manxman isn’t scheduled to go to the Republic of Ireland.
He said Dublin has never been a ‘regular port’ for the Steam Packet and it’s never had plans to send the vessel there.
In comparison Manannan is due to sail to Dublin 18 times in 2024 although Dr Allinson said passenger numbers on the route this year were ‘relatively low’.
Douglas Central MHK, and former Infrastructure Minister, Chris Thomas tabled the initial question asking whether the boat is actually allowed to sail to the port.
He was joined in his questioning by southern MHK’s Jason Moorhouse and Michelle Haywood:
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