Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain today gave a damning assessment of the Scottish Government’s failure to renew Scotland’s aging ferry fleet.
The MSP condemned the Scottish Government’s inability to deliver vessels 801 and 802 as a “farce” which could cost the taxpayer up to “half a billion pounds.”
Edward Mountain MSP chaired the Ferries Inquiry as Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity.
Their report concluded the that the process to procure and construct vessels 801 and 802 was a “catastrophic failure”.
In his speech to the Scottish Parliament, Edward Mountain MSP said:
“Yet again we are discussing the inabilities of this incompetent Scottish Government to keep our Islands connected.
“Four years ago, we needed to build one ferry every year to keep our fleet fit for purpose.
“Now, because of the Scottish Government failings we need to build 2½ ferries every year for 10 years to get back on track.
“Seven years ago a contract was awarded to build two ferries and today neither of which are close to completion.
“Seven years is the time it took to build an aircraft carrier and yet this Scottish Government has nothing to show for all the hundreds of millions of pounds we have spent, what a farce.
Edward Mountain MSP then turned to the rising costs of the two delayed vessels:
“Someone needs to explain to Islanders how this Government allowed the payment of 82% of the contract value and only end up with an unfinished hull and the stern of the other ferry.
“But it doesn’t stop there, this Government has lent the shipyard millions, first when FMEL owned it and now under their stewardship.
“They also swept under the carpet the additional harbour infrastructure costs to allow these new ferries to dock or the costs for constructing LNG storage tanks.
“I would be surprised, when this is done, if we get any change from half a billion pounds.”
ENDS
