The DoI Minister has defended the Liverpool ferry terminal, saying it is a success after all.
Dr Michelle Haywood made the comment after Tynwald debated her department’s annual plan.
Branding the plan a “brochure”, Tim Glover (Arbory, Castletown and Malew) said the report focuses on a “year of success”.
He said: “The first item there is the Isle of Man Ferry Terminal. Well, I don’t think any Honourable Member in here would be prepared to stand and say that that has been an out and out success.”
“It may have been delivered in the past year and that’s what it’s saying in the plan, but we all know that we don’t even know is yet what the final costs are going to be.”
Responding to this, Dr Haywood said: “With regards to the Liverpool ferry terminal, I think we can define it that it’s a success.
“It’s well thought of by its passengers that pass through there. It allows that Liverpool route now at weekends, to use the Manxman, which is a vessel with much higher capacity than the Manannan can manage and that is proving to be a really, really popular route.”
The terminal, which was inherited from the previous administration, went massively over its original budget, was years behind schedule, though some of this was due to Covid and has proved unable to dock the Steam Packet’s flagship at certain tides during this winter.
Works
Appalling
Speaker Juan Watterson also criticised the plan, which was undoubtedly largely prepared before Dr Haywood was installed as minister.
He labelled it an “appalling report” which had not key performances indicators or reference points to judge success.
Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby also criticised the report for not including any detail on footpaths despite a report being repeatedly delayed.
Dr Haywood said: “I have seen the draft report, and I have returned it to the working group because I wasn’t satisfied with the report or its presentation.”
She added that she expects to have it back early in the new year.
Onchan MHK Julie Edge was also critical, saying it was a “plan that’s not a plan”.
Dr Haywood sought to somewhat distance herself from the report, pointing out it was already tabled before she was appointed, adding that it “will look somewhat different next time I have to come back and report to this honourable court”.
Hear the full plan debate below.
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