I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 277, inclusive, and 279 together.
My Department has no direct control of transport costs in general but keeps under review costs arising from the services provided through our agencies.
In accordance with commitments under the Programme for Government, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is currently conducting a review of all charges levied on businesses, including the transport sector, by Government Departments and their Agencies. My Department is contributing to the Review.
There are very significant practical, economic and political difficulties with the concept of centralised European purchasing of oil and other transport materials and assets. However, at national level, cost competitiveness is a key consideration for Ireland as an open export-oriented economy and transport is one of the many factors influencing that competitiveness. The Government's plans to improve competitiveness are set out in the Programme for Government and place a heavy emphasis on the delivery of effective transport services. I have also outlined my transport and tourism priorities to 2016 on my Department's website which can be found at www.dttas.ie. In addition, the Government’s Jobs Initiative includes a number of measures intended to stimulate tourism by increasing the competitiveness of access transport and our tourism product.