Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus MacNeil has welcomed Graeme Dey MSP as Transport Minister and Mairi Gougeon MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands – at a time when two huge transport issues are hanging over the islands.

Commenting Angus MacNeil said:

“Clearly the islands have to be protected by maintaining the HIAL jobs and saving the public purse a lot of money.

“I would look to both Ministers to engage fully with this issue and not to let HIAL empire build in Inverness at the expense of communities.  That as well as the need to make sure we have a decent ferry supply in the coming years and looking at all yards in and out of Scotland. 

“There is plenty to keep them busy and I hope to see both in the islands this summer to discuss matters with the local community. 

“I also welcome Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s plan for ferries but we should keep our minds open about tunnels where we could use the ferry money in a number of inventive ways to ensure we have fixed links at all times.  These things are possible if there is the political will as the Faroe Islands have shown.”

ENDS