Written Answers. - Sea Access Transport.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:
51
Proinsias De Rossa
asked the
Minister for the Marine
if his attention has been drawn to the statement by the CII that vessels currently operating on the main routes are unsuited in size, cellular configuration and speed to match the needs of industry in 1991 and beyond; and the plans he has to improve sea transport and to reduce the competitive disadvantage to Irish industry which is caused by the absence of adequate shipping.
The document from which the Deputy is quoting was submitted to my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications earlier this year. I have examined its contents and find that there is much merit in the proposals it contains. Regrettably the Deputy has chosen to take the particular quotation out of context. Were he to turn the page he would see under the heading "Ships as Infrastructure" the following:
The CII Transport Council believes that investment in shipping is an integral part of the transport infrastructure linking Ireland with the rest of the Community in the same way that roads and railways are regarded between continental member states. Substantial EC/national investment in roads and railways on the Continent is either in place or planned. This case has already been made in principle and accepted by the EC Commission and by Government (see Appendix I).
Were the Deputy then to consult the appendix as directed he would find the following quotation from the Programme for Economic and Social Progress:
In addition to developing Ireland's internal transport infrastructure and facilities, it is a key objective of Irish transport policy that enhanced sea and air access transport services be developed between Ireland and other European Community states. Such services are an essential element of Irish competitiveness within the Community and these will help underpin the Government's development strategies, particularly in the industrial, tourism and international trading sectors of the economy ... In this context, the Government will continue to press the European Commission for additional EC funding for the development of access transport services to and from Ireland in view of the unique competitive disadvantage we suffer because of our island status and peripherality.
In furtherance of this objective, the Government made a detailed submission to the EC Commission in May of this year seeking funding for substantial additional capacity in both the roll on/roll off (RO/RO) and lift on/lift off (LO/LO) modes.
In June and July, I met with the Commissioner for Transport Policy, Mr. Karel Van Miert, the Commissioner for Competition Policy, Vice-President Sir Leon Brittan and Mr. Bruce Millan, Commissioner for Regional Policy to press our case for Community support. I am hopeful that when the facts of the situation have been examined, a positive response will be forthcoming.
I should add that in drafting the submission the views of the CII and other relevant parties were taken fully into account. I would also like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation for the efforts which the CII have made in their contacts with the Commission services to press Ireland's case for assistance.
The Deputy will no doubt be pleased to know that the current Irish fleet stands at almost 195,000 deadweight tons. This represents an increase of over 37 per cent since 1986.
Amongst recent additions to the fleet the MVBell Pioneer operating between Waterford and Rotterdam is an outstanding example of the type of vessel we need to ensure the speedy and reliable transport of our trade. The construction of the vessel, a state of the art hatchless containership designed for fast turn around in port, and the first of its kind in the world, was grant-aided during 1990. As well as being fully automated and computerised, the vessel is highly energy efficient and environment friendly in its operation. Its sister ship which is currently under construction has been awarded EC funding of £1.2 million under the THERMIE programme.
The significant increase in fleet capacity has been aided by various Government incentives for expansion in the form of grant aid, BES investment and a five-fold reduction in the level of corporation tax payable by shipping companies.
