asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if it is his intention to publish a White Paper on transport policy; and if so, when it will be published.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - White Paper on Transport Policy.
29.
I have already informed the House, on 11 November 1987, that I do not intend publishing a White Paper on transport policy. I have and am still putting in place sectoral policies for the transport sector, key aspects of which I have outlined to this House on a number of occasions.
Does the Minister not agree that, in the light of the proposals for a single market in 1992, there is a singular need for clarity about where we are going in all aspects of transport? In order to prepare the transport sector to be competitive by 1992, would he not review his decision not to have a White Paper?
I agree totally with the Deputy that it is necessary for us to have total clarity about our policies and objectives in the light of 1992. I would like to assure the Deputy that I am fully conscious of that and if I were not it would be very sharply brought to my attention in the context of the discussions we are having in the Council of Ministers in the EC. En passant I might say that the Green Paper which the Deputy had prepared when he was Minister is particularly helpful to me at this stage.
Bearing in mind that there are some significant aspects of transport which do not come within the remit of the Minister for Tourism and Transport, for instance, international shipping and road building and planning, would he not agree because of the crucial nature of both those areas to future transport costs and the future readiness of the Irish transport industry that the White Paper is now an imperative necessity to prepare the entire transport sector for 1992?
I do not accept that it is imperative. I want to reiterate what I said, that we are fully aware of the implications of 1992 and what we must do for 1992. The Deputy mentioned other Departments which had an input, especially the Department of the Environment, so far as roads are concerned, and the Department of Tourism and Transport: both these Departments work very closely together in the European context. In fact, the Department of the Environment are represented at many of the Council of Ministers' meetings and at other meetings at a lower level.
A brief question, Deputy. I am anxious to complete all the questions here within the prescribed time.
When the Minister said "we are fully aware" to whom was he referring? Is the transport industry aware? Does the aviation industry know exactly where we are going in aviation? Does the cross-Channel ferry industry, the international ferry industry and the road haulage industry know where we are going in the next few years?
I am afraid we cannot debate this matter now.
As I said regarding the sectoral areas, we are fully aware. When I say "we" I mean all who are involved — the Department, the practitioners and all who are involved in the specific sectors mentioned by the Deputy. The Deputy is aware that after much travail in the air industry we reached agreement on 14 December last in relation to air transport between the various member countries. This has had a significant impact on the air industry. That is timed to end before 1992. The next stage of liberalisation will be put in place between 1990 and 1992 and most of the other sectors in the same way.
Would it not be nice to put it in one paper?
That would get in the way of progress.