No funding for ferry: minister

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The regional development minister has said his department will not be able to fund the Greencastle-Magilligan ferry when its contract runs out in June.

The Lough Foyle Ferry Company used to receive an annual subsidy but that has now run out.

On Tuesday, assembly members called on Conor Murphy to help fund the service.

However, Mr Murphy said this was not possible because the ferry runs between two jurisdictions and also government budgets were so tight.

The Lough Foyle Ferry operates between Magilligan in County Londonderry and Greencastle in County Donegal.

It offers a one-mile crossing which takes about 15 minutes.

"I do recognise the importance of the ferry service in the local area and, despite the limitations of my own department, I think that at the very least there is a need for interested parties to explore more fully whether there are any options available which might help the service," he said.

'Happy'

Mr Murphy said he would be "happy to be involved in that process with my own department".

SDLP MLA John Dallat said the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Dáil in the Republic of Ireland should step in.

Last year, the Lough Foyle Ferry Company lost 56,000 euro, and estimates that it could lose nearly 224,000 euro this year.