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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Costs to Exporters.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

29 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the proposals, if any, his Department has produced to reduce the costs to Irish exporters which have been incurred through distance costs from EU markets in order to establish a modern, efficient transport network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5998/97]

Ireland's location on the periphery of Europe does impose some cost penalties on exporters. Apart from direct transport costs which are not subject to Government price control, and the ability of firms themselves in the management of transport and logistics, transport infrastructure also has the potential to reduce significantly competitive disadvantages of location.

The Government is currently taking a number of strategically important initiatives to ensure that any disadvantage to exporters is minimised. A range of improvements in transport infrastructure are provided for under the Operational Programme for Transport 1994-1999 which is the responsibility of my colleagues, the Ministers for Transport Energy and Communications, Marine and the Environment. Under that programme £2.6 billion is being invested in upgrading our roads network, commercial seaports and airports and our rail network, with particular emphasis on those parts of the transport network which play a critical role in linking Ireland to our main export markets.

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