asked the Minister for Communications if he considers that a Community investment programme, as advocated by the European Parliament, would contribute towards the construction of a Community transport policy and the strengthening of a European network of major communications routes, thereby benefiting everyday life in Europe and the large scale European market.
Written Answers. - Community Transport Policy.
581.
It is assumed that the Deputy's question relates to the proposal to establish a fund to provide financial assistance for transport infrastructure projects of Community interest. It is my belief that such an investment programme can make a significant contribution towards the development of a Common Transport Policy and can be of benefit to the entire Community. Ireland is well disposed towards the proposal but on the understanding that factors such as economic convergence and integration, as embodied in the Treaty of Rome, are taken into account in the eventual Community instrument. It would also be important that any assistance provided for this purpose would not be at the expense of other sources of Community aid and that airport and seaport projects, as well as land transport projects, would be entitled to compete for the available funds. The Deputy will be aware that under the Irish Presidency a package of common policy measures was adopted which included infrastructure elements of importance to the Community and to Ireland.