Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce this week warmly welcomed the announcement by his Government Colleague, Mr. Joe Walsh T.D., that a New Ferry Service suitable for carrying livestock trucks will operate three times a week from Cork to St Malo, France. The Service will be managed by Swansea Cork Ferries Ltd.

The Department of Agriculture has completed an inspection of the M.V. Venus at Piraeus in Greece and subject to some modifications, has determined that the ferry is suitable for carrying livestock trucks. It is expected that up to 10 livestock trucks will be carried per voyage. The initial voyage will be monitored by the Department of Agriculture with a view to increasing the number of trucks which may be carried thereafter.

Minister Treacy said "There has been a 173% increase in Live Exports this year, with total exports to early May, 1999 of 121,279, compared with 44,330 cattle in the same period last year. This is a dramatic increase. Exports to the Continent this year so far amount to 91,217 cattle compared with 33,294 cattle, in the same period last year. These figures illustrate the importance of this Market for our Economy and I am delighted that this new service will facilitate greater growth and confirms our efforts as a Government to maintaining competition in the Livestock Trade."