When the replica famine ship, Jeanie Johnston, has been dismissed in one newspaper as a "sinking fiasco", there may be a sense that Kerry County Council has lost the run of itself. Yesterday, its members voted to retain a commitment to the vessel, with the support of the Kerry Group.
Yet the decision is not so unsound. Granted, there are still unanswered questions as to why the ship should have cost more than four times its original estimate. Most of this was State money, with around €6 million underwritten by Kerry County Council and Tralee UDC. However, the Kerry Group has not only given the ship a vote of confidence; its involvement also indicates that a sense of realism and financial acumen may now prevail.
It is only four years since tall ships from many states graced the banks of the Liffey, attracting spectators in their thousands, and there are many who believe that the Jeanie Johnston has a future in this international fleet. The Dunbrody, built in the south-east, has attracted considerable tourist interest, without even going to sea. Denmark runs three vessels the size of the Jeanie Johnston, while the Pride of Baltimore in the US is one of several tall ship projects being run on a private- public partnership basis.
There are similar opportunities for the Kerry replica, according to the Fine Gael spokesman on communications, marine and natural resources, Mr Simon Coveney. He has criticised the decision by former marine minister, Mr Frank Fahey, to abandon the vessel, effectively, when it ran into financial difficulties some months ago. Although he does not condone the cost overrun, Mr Coveney believes that the ship has a future in sail training, as an "ambassador" for this State, and as a venue for corporate hospitality events. He also believes that it is unfair for Kerry County Council to bear the load, and says that the State should take over responsibility for it, and an expert group should draw up a viability plan.
The Jeanie Johnston has passed its sea trials, according to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. There is a growing demand for sail training which the existing State vessel, Asgard II, cannot meet. No matter what narrow concerns the Department of Finance may have about such a project, the return for a small economic investment could be inestimable in social terms.