Press Release
15th November 2001
McNeil Welcomes Executive's CalMac Victory
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, has welcomed the decision by the European Commission that the Scottish Executive can put the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry network out to tender as a whole.
He told the Telegraph:
"We have all seen the damage done in the past by the fragmentation of transport networks. To do the same to CalMac would deal a severe blow both to the CalMac workforce and the communities they serve.
"If private operators were allowed to simply 'cherry pick' the profitable routes which subsidise the less profitable ones, vital services on which many outlying communities rely would be under threat.
"That is why the Scottish Executive is determined to keep the CalMac network together, when – as is required under EU law – it is put out to tender.
"The fact that Sarah Boyack has won the argument in Europe – successfully convincing the European Commission of the dangers of fragmentation – is good news for those in remote areas who rely on lifeline services and for those at CalMac headquarters in Gourock who work to deliver them."
Transport Minister, Sarah Boyack, said:
"I am delighted that what we have worked hard to achieve has come about. I welcome the Commission’s decision and the way is clear now for the Scottish Executive to tender the network as a whole."
The next step for the Executive is to consider the advice from the Commission in order to ensure the development of a fair tendering process in line with EU law. The Commission does still have some reservations and some detailed matters remain to be discussed.
Draft service specifications are currently being drawn up and will be open for wide public consultation in the New Year.
ENDS
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