Michael Noonan
Question:4 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the plans, if any, he has to reduce the cost base of the haulage industry in Ireland.
Written Answers. - Haulage Industry Costs.
The key factors in both access and internal haulage transport costs include port and sea freight charges, fuel prices, tax and excise duties, labour and insurance costs. These are all factors which are outside the remit of my Department.
As regards those elements within my area of responsibility, I would like to emphasise that my ongoing policy of encouraging increased competition and efficiency in the haulage industry is aimed at providing a more effective service at the lowest possible cost. This policy includes the application and enforcement of professional standards for admission to the occupation of haulier. It also includes increasing as much as possible the degree of access for Irish hauliers to international markets by securing EC and ECMT (European Conference of Minister for Transport) multilateral licences and authorisations for our hauliers.
Other factors which could be said to militate against a lower cost base for the haulage industry such as inadequate roads and port facilities have been progressively addressed by my colleagues, the Ministers for the Environment and the Marine through the EC Operational Programme on Peripherality and this work is to continue with substantial investment under theNational Development Plan 1994-1999. Under these programmes, the State continue to invest heavily, with EC assistance, in major improvements in transport infrastructure.