Vol. 447 No. 11
28 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he will take to ensure the safety of Irish Truck Drivers who, it is reported have been subjected to violence and hijacking in Italy in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3907/94]
A number of cases of theft of Irish trucks in Italy has come to the attention of my Department over the past few years; some of those cases have involved attacks on the drivers of the trucks.
The most recent incident of which we are aware was the theft, on 29 November 1994, near Milan, of a truck and goods with a combined value of over £120,000. There was no violence involved on this occasion. Our Embassy in Rome, as soon as it became aware of the incident, immediately contacted the local police to ensure the matter was fully investigated. Embassy officials are continuing to provide all possible assistance to the haualge firm to whom the truck belongs; we understand that police inquiries into the theft are continuing.
I should make it clear that the problem of attacks on trucks in Italy is a general one and that there is no question of Irish drivers in particular being singled out. When our Embassy formally approached the Italian authorities about thees incidents some time ago, they indicated that the Italian Department of Public Safety had established an interagency task force to combat such attacks.
I would like to assure the Deputy that I shaee his concern about these incidents. Our Embassy in Rome will continue to monitor the situation closely and will maintain contact on the matter with the Italian authorities.
Is the Minister aware of the serious concern among Irish road hauliers and their association? Is he aware that the Irish Road Haulage Association has called for the introduction of an export credit insurance scheme to protect drivers who have had their lorries and jobs hijacked? Will he continue to make representations to the Italian authorities on this matter?
I am aware of the concern of the Irish Road Haulage Association in relation to the incidents which have occurred. The incident I described was one in which violence was not used but in a number of incidents violence was used and drivers have been savagely assaulted. I am not aware of the submission on export credit insurance. That is a matter for the Minister for Tourism, and Trade and as I am not aware of it I have not formed a view on it. As it involves export credit insurance it would have to be examined very carefully. We will continue to impress upon the Italian authorities our concerns in relation to Irish drivers. Given the nature of our economy and the necessity for exports and access to the European markets and to Eastern European markets, long distance haulage will be a feature of Irish life for the forseeable future. In that respect we must do everything possible to ensure the safety of our drivers.
As the amount of compensation to drivers would be small will the Minister make representation to his ministerial colleague and the Italian authorities, to see whether something can be done?
I give the Deputy an undertaking that I will have discussions with the Minister for Tourism and Trade and I am prepared when I return to the House in three weeks to follow up on the supplementary.
