Charlie McCreevy
Question:36 Mr. McCreevy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the effects, if any, on exporting of the recent budget cutbacks in insurance services offered by his Department. [16864/95]
Written Answers. - Export Insurance.
Charlie McCreevy
Question:47 Mr. McCreevy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to extend insurance services for exporters in line with the general provisions by other member state Governments. [16863/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 47 together.
The only insurance services provided by the Minister for Tourism and Trade are those which are associated with the operation of the State export credit insurance scheme.
The Deputy will be aware that the export credit insurance scheme was restructured in 1991. In line with that restructuring, insurance cover in respect of short-term commercial risk, which constitutes the bulk of demand from Irish exports, has since been provided exclusively by the private sector.
Cover under the State scheme is offered to exporters on short-term political risk and on medium-term project risk. My policy is that the scheme should be operated in a way that assists the development of exports while taking due account of the need to protect the interests of the taxpayer. I am satisfied that the scheme is serving both these objectives and that there are no grounds for changing its operating arrangements at the present time.