Minister pledges £17m to boost Northern Ireland ferry operators

The financial support package, to be joint funded by the Executive and the Department for Transport, will assist ferry operators who provide critical supply routes for a two-month period.

This will ensure that the supply routes which Northern Ireland relies on for food, medicines and other essential supplies continue without any interruption.

Ms Mallon said: “The supply of foods, goods and medicines across these islands is vital. The Covid crisis has posed new challenges for all of our services including our ferries. I’m delighted to have secured financial support from the Department for Transport and the Executive to support our ferries through this challenging time, protecting our supply chains and by extension access to critical supplies for our communities.

“This £17mi investment by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department for Transport will ensure that the supply routes which Northern Ireland relies on for food, medicines and other essential supplies continue without any interruption during this period.

“Throughout this crisis I have been working closely with ferry operators to keep our necessary goods flowing and I wish to extend my personal thanks to these companies.

“We have been able to secure supplies, the impact of which cannot be underestimated and I am pleased to play my part. There’s more work to do - and I remain committed and focused to doing all I can to secure safeguards and support for people across Northern Ireland.”