asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he proposes to issue a White Paper on transport; and, if so, when.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Policy.
20.
Mr. O'Donnell
Mr. Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power wherther, in view of the vital importance of transport to the national economy, especially in view of this country's entry to EEC, he has any plans or proposals to implement a national transport policy; and if he will make a statement outlining Government policy for the Irish transport industry.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 22 together.
As a member of EEC Ireland will be bound by the evolving common transport policy of the Community and will from now on take an active part in developing such policy.
I do not consider that a White Paper on transport policy is called for at this time but I shall consider the need for issuing such a paper in the context of any new legislation which may be required to give effect to Government decisions following consideration of the recommendations of the McKinsey Report on Public Transport and related issues.
Mr. O'Donnell
Would the Minister not agree that transport will play a very vital role in determining the competitiveness of our exports in the EEC? Is the Minister also aware that people involved in the transport industry have been unanimous in the last year or so in calling for the publication of a White Paper to enable public debate to take place on transport and the form which transport should take in this country particularly with a view to rationalising the various transport sectors? The Minister himself, in fact, expressed this idea about six months ago.
I understand what is in the Deputy's mind but we are in an evolving situation and there is no point in issuing a White Paper just for the sake of doing so. Until we have matters clarified vis-á-vis the EEC situation and whatever common policy emerges from such discussions and negotiations as will take place, there is no point in issuing a White Paper. At the moment the situation is fluid.
In what way can the Minister satisfy the House that the present position is fluid when, in fact, public hauliers in the Border areas are in unfair competition with public hauliers on the Northern side of the Border who have much more generous grants than the Government are providing for those on this side of the Border? That is not fluid; it is reality.
This was done as part of the Government's political intention to secure unity of mind in this island. It is part of positive Government policy to ensure that as far as possible there is co-operation between both parts of the island.
Just in case people might get the wrong impression, I am not against national unity if the Minister is implying that and I am not dealing now with that issue but the issue I am raising is a bread-andbutter issue where people under the Government's system are forced to compete unfairly with people on the Northern side of the Border. I am asking what is the Minister prepared to do to assist these people?
That is another day's work. The decision was taken by the Government in the interests of securing greater co-operation and unity between all people in this island. If the Deputy is against that, he is against it.
Why is the Minister asking these people——
Question No. 21. I have called Question No. 21.
May I ask one final question? If I accept what the Minister is saying, why is the Minister asking these people to carry the burden themselves? What the Minister is saying now is that people engaged in public transport in the Border areas should sacrifice their livelihood to satisfy the Government.
I am saying that the Government took a decision in the interests of securing unity and co-operation in this particular area of economic activity some years ago and that decision stands despite the vicissitudes of the situation that has arisen since then.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 21.
21.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the changes in existing transport legislation which will be necessary following this country's entry to EEC.
The extent to which transport legislation will be changed when this country becomes a member of the EEC will depend on the regulations, directives and decisions applicable under the treaties and agreements governing the European Communities on 1st January, 1973.
The position is being currently examined in consultation with the Commission and it would appear that under the regulations, directives and decisions made to date no major changes in current transport legislation will be involved.
The transport matters covered by the Community's regulations, directives and decisions include:
Liberalisation of certain goods traffic across frontiers;
forms of licences for international transport of goods by road;
liberalisation of international passenger transport by coach and buses;
Community quotas for road haulage vehicles;
rules of competition;
accounting procedures of railway undertakings and aids to transport;
accounting for expenditure of transport infrastructure;
abolition of discrimination in carriage of goods based on country of origin or destination of goods;
regional statistics of international transport of goods.
Action arising out of any regulations, directives or decisions of the EEC on taxation and weights of vehicles, and driving hours will fall to be dealt with by other Ministers.
Mr. O'Donnell
Could the Minister say whether any steps have been taken of late with a view to bringing air and sea transport within the ambit of the EEC transport policy? It does not make provision for air and sea transport but——
Any discussions that have taken place heretofore—as I said earlier they are all at a very early stage at present—are purely concerned with surface transport, rail and road. There has been really nothing whatever done in regard to the marine and air side of transport.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is it not likely that there will be and that we will be able to have a voice in the formulation of this policy because if these come within the ambit of EEC common transport policy it will have very big implications particularly for our national airline and shipping services?
That is very much another day's work.