asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his Department are combining with any other Government Department in a formal structure in order to develop a cohesive transport plan in the approach to 1992.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Plan.
8.
I am concerned to ensure that our transport sector is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities which the Single European Market will present and that the sector is adequately developed to allow Irish industry to compete effectively in Europe. I am, therefore, reviewing with my colleagues, the Ministers for Finance, Industry and Commerce, the Environment, Energy and the Marine, the priorities which need to be set and the measures which should be taken to meet the needs of Irish industry and Irish tourism, having regard particularly to our island location.
At national level, the Government are at present preparing a development plan for presentation to the EC Commission to ensure that Ireland is fully equipped to meet the challenges posed by the completion of the internal market in 1992 and that we obtain the maximum possible assistance from the EC in financing the plan. The specific proposals I am developing for the transport sector will fit within this overall framework and are designed to ensure that in the approach to 1992, Ireland will have efficient, high quality and cost-effective transport services to meet the needs of our trading sector.
As part of the Government's national awareness and information campaign, I held a conference on the implications of the single market for the tourism and transport sectors on 2 November. The conference was addressed by representatives of the European Commission, Government Departments, State bodies and transport operations and was attended by upwards of 150 representatives of State bodies and trade and professional organisations. The purpose of the conference was to impress on the tourism and transport industries the opportunities and challenges which the Single European Market will present and to obtain the views of these two sectors on the problems and questions that need to be addressed.
My prime objective in the run up to 1992 will be to enable the transport and tourism sectors to derive maximum benefit from the opportunities presented by the Single European Market, and to ensure that Irish Industry is not disadvantaged by our peripheral location within the European Community. We shall have to ensure that our cost structures, regulatory frameworks, development programmes and initiatives are flexible enough to enable us to capitalise on the new opportunities.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. The purpose of the conference held on 2 November, which was so well attended, was, the Minister says, to impress on industry the need for preparation for 1992. My supplementary question to the Minister is: in view of the fact that the people speaking at that conference used the occasion to impress on the Minister the need for cohesive policy and for considerable expenditure on transport infrastructure, what response does he intend making to the call by very many different sectors, including the Confederation of Irish Industry, for cohesive work on sea, airport and roads facilities? I am well aware that the Minister does not control the whole of the transport area. I might repeat my question: in view of the calls made at that conference, what formal structures will the Minister be putting in place, with his colleagues, to develop a cohesive transport structure including roads, sea and air?
The substance of my reply gave an indication to the Deputy. I agree with her that it is a two-way process and the conference was convened for that purpose, so that I could tell them where I saw challenges, even dangers, and opportunities, so that, in turn, they could indicate to me and my Department where they thought Government action could be taken to improve the position. I did mention that I am working specially with the Department of Finance, Industry and Commerce, Environment, Energy and the Marine as of now, precisely for——
But there is no special formal structure in place?
If the Ministers for Finance, Industry and Commerce, Environment, Energy, the Marine and Tourism and Transport meet, the Deputy is entitled to her interpretation as to whether or not that is formal. But the fact is that, with the backing of our Departments, we are addressing precisely the question the Deputy raised.
When can we expect to see a cohesive transport plan for 1992 from this Government?
It will be well ahead of 1992. As the Deputy very properly said, there are areas not covered by my Department but which are covered within the range of Ministries I have just mentioned. The plans to impact on the Structural Funds must and will be in place long before 1992. I could speak at some length on the sectoral parts of transport and what is being done at present. However, that is not covered by the question.
Would the Minister not agree with the point raised by Deputy Hussey that a formal structure needs to be put in place to co-ordinate transport policy. Given that the Minister does not have responsibility for all aspects of transport he cannot report to this House on matters relating to road development, ports, international shipping, all of which are integral parts of an overall comprehensive transport structure? It is unsatisfactory that the Minister is not able to answer questions in this House in relation to transport generally because his responsibility does not apply to those areas I have mentioned. Arising out of that, as I am sure the Minister is aware, the Confederation of Irish Industry have been saying for a long time that 9 per cent of their total manufacturing costs are devoted to transport functions on which they spend approximately £1,000 million per annum. In order to be more cost-effective would the Minister not agree that we must develop a comprehensive transport policy and that formal structures must be put in place to achieve that aim?
I appeal for brevity. Little progress has been made on questions today by reason of long supplementaries.
I take on board the comments made by Deputy Pat O'Malley. Quite frankly I do not see any logic in the statement that if a group of Ministers with responsibility over the whole range of transport and infrastructure are meeting, working hard and studying these problems it would be any better to have a formal committee or arrangement in that regard. I did take the opportunity of addressing the Confederation of Irish Industry — mentioned by Deputy O'Malley — on these problems. I am fully aware of the study which the Confederation of Irish Industry undertook indicating that it cost them 9 per cent of their total expenditure to provide transport whereas, in Europe, it costs 5 per cent. What we are actually addressing at present is a reduction in the gap between 5 per cent and 9 per cent in favour of those involved in Irish industry who carry the 9 per cent transport costs.
May I advise the House that the time for dealing with ordinary questions is fast running out. We have dealt with eight questions only. This is particularly unfair to other Members. The Chair will insist on making much more progress in future. A very brief supplementary from Deputy Griffin.
Would the Minister not agree with me that what is urgently needed now is a massive injection of funds for road development especially against the background that the Construction Industry Federation have indicated, that it would cost £2.6 billion to bring Irish roads up to EC standards? Would the Minister also confirm to the House that the Irish Government will not lose further EC grants——
We are not having the brevity I appealed for.
——to the tune of £21.2 million in view of their non-allocation of sufficient funds in the 1988 budget?
If that is the case I will move on to another question. I am calling Question No. 9.
A Cheann Comhairle, you are being very unfair.
That is disgraceful.
In the light of the number of questions dealt with I must call the next question, No. 9.
A Cheann Comhairle, that was my first supplementary.
I asked for brevity and the Deputy refused to respond to my request.
That is absolutely disgraceful.
I asked for co-operation and did not get it.
I have something enlightening to tell the Deputy about the point he made; his figures are not correct.