Ivan Yates
Question:160 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if there are any statistics as to the relevant cost and speed of Irish internal haulage, relative to other EC member states.
Written Answers. - Irish Haulage Operations
There are no statistics available as to the cost and speed of Irish internal haulage relative to other EC member states. It has been generally acknowledged, however, that the Irish haulier suffers from cost disadvantages relative to foreign hauliers.
These cost disadvantages arise from a number of factors, including port charges, fuel costs, excise duties, wages and overhead costs, control over which do not lie within my remit as Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications.
Another factor which has cost implications in the context of haulage speeds or travel times is the deficiencies in our road infrastructure, which my colleague the Minister for the Environment will be addressing in the operational programme on peripherality which is currently being implemented.