Professor John Robertson OBA

Ireland’s GDP in 2023 was $551.39 billion with a population at 5.23 million, just under Scotland at 5.44 million. Scotland’s GDP in the same year was $2.53 billion, less than half, yet:

DONEGAL TD and Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance, Deputy Pearse Doherty, has questioned the Minister for Rural and Community Development on the failure to deliver a new ferry to service Tory island. The Minister for Rural and Community Development agreed to visit Magheraroarty pier later in the summer and meet with Deputy Doherty to discuss the matter further.

Teachta Doherty said: “It was a commitment that was given by the government in 2018 that a new ferry would be provided. It was supposed to be delivered within three years.

“There is no ferry and no plans for a ferry coming anytime soon. Now, there is a condition saying that it is attached to a pier. This should never have been the case. There are ferries going in and out of Magheraroarty Pier all the time.

https://donegalnews.com/eight-years-on-and-still-no-sign-of-a-new-ferry-for-tory-td/

The Tory Island population of 141 is completely dependent on ferry transport for access to health services on the mainland. The current ferry is nearly 50 years old and looks like having to stay in service until nearly 60.

In 2018:

Families say they will leave Tory Island if 42-year-old ferry comes into service: https://www.thejournal.ie/tory-island-ferry-row-2-3841581-Feb2018/