Vol. 422 No. 1
15 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine the total shipping tonnage under the Irish flag in each of the past five years; if, as part of their commitment to the expansion of the Irish shipping fleet, the Government have any plans for the re-establishment of a publicly-owned shipping company; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The totals for the deadweight tonnage of the fleet at the end of each of the years 1986-91 were as follows: 1986, 141,926; 1987, 148,529; 1988, 157,007; 1989, 167,708; 1990, 190,319; 1991, 201,024.
The total at the end of 1991 shows an increase of 42 per cent over the end 1986 figure. This reflects, inter alia the impact of the measures introduced by the Government in 1987 to assist fleet development and ensure certain minimum capacity requirements.
The pressing need is for shipping services which provide fast and reliable access to the main European markets which account for more than 70 per cent of our trade. The aim of shipping policy is to ensure that, as far as possible, Ireland's trade routes and needs are catered for efficiently and on an economic and competitive basis. In that regard, there are no proposals to establish a publicly owned shipping company.
The Government have proposed in a detailed submission to the EC Commission that Community Support Framework funding be provided to assist investment in unitised capacity in both the lift on-lift off and roll on-roll off modes and while the Commission response was not positive, discussions with the Commission are continuing.
What proportion of Irish trade is accommodated by the tonnage the Minister has given for 1991?
I know 70 per cent of our trade goes to Europe and a high percentage goes by vessel. I am sorry I do not have it in my brief but I will give that information to the Deputy when it is available.
Is it the case that only a small proportion of our shipping requirements is catered for by the tonnage now available to us? Given the crisis in shipping since the liquidation of Irish Shipping and the Fianna Fáil party's stated policy at that time of their intention to re-establish a publicly owned shipping company, does the Minister think the question of re-establishing a publicly owned shipping company should be reexamined?
I take the Deputy's point. While I have not got the exact information, I am well aware from my location that a considerable amount of our exports go through Larne, apart from the east and south, because of the facilities available there. We dealt with this in Priority Question No. 3 and the necessity to develop and modernise our seaports. Every effort is being made to do this because, if we can develop our seaports, it will contribute to a continued increase in shipping tonnage.
Will the Minister agree that, in the event of a crisis, which we witnessed recently in the Gulf, we would be totally reliant on foreign fleets to bring cargoes to and from this country? As we are an island nation, will the Minister agree that it is vital to have a shipping line of our own to ensure there are routes in and out of this country in a crisis?
It would not be practical to invest in a national shipping line in these difficult times when people have to accept financial cutbacks. A shipping line would cost a considerable amount of money and none of my constituents has expressed difficulties in this regard. Of course, it is an aspiration but I recognise the excellent service available from Larne to Stranraer and, if it did not exist, we would certainly have greater problems. If we had proper infrastructure, with assistance from Europe, there would be private investment because of our further plans in relation to harbour development and tidying up the 1946 Act. I am convinced that there will be substantial increases in tonnage.
