Minister: Taxpayers aren't directly paying for repairs

Minister clarifies comments over who is footing the bill

Treasury Minister Chris Thomas says Manx taxpayers are not handing the Steam Packet £2.5 million to fix the Manxman. 

He says government is still "intrinsically linked" to the company's finances.

A Freedom of Information request, from Manx Radio, shows that the repairs are likely to cost more than £2.5 million.

Because of that Treasury had to approve them.

Speaking on Friday evening (25 September) the re-elected Douglas Central MHK said: "The Isle of Man Government through Treasury is a sole shareholder in the Steam Packet Company and, therefore, it's the Treasury that represents the interests of Manx taxpayers."

Asked whether taxpayers were paying for the repairs, he replied: "No, that's not the case, and that's not what I said."

On Friday's Manx Radio Breakfast show Mr Thomas said 'there are lots of possibilities about where that money comes from', adding when asked who is going to pay it that 'we are footing the bill'.

He then added that by 'we' he did mean 'the Manx taxpayer'.

Read more on that here: Treasury Minister: Taxpayer footing Manxman repair bill - Manx Radio

Addressing repairs to Manxman, Mr Thomas said they are for the company to handle: "It is really important that politicians and Treasury are not seen to be running in any sense things like the repairs.

"That's solely the responsibility of the board and the management and the engineers of the Steam Packet."

The Steam Packet has commissioned an independent report into the Manxman's problems which has not yet been published.

Listen to the full interview below in this episode of Newscast: