Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 April 2015
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he remains satisfied that transport costs are competitive in the context of such costs in other European countries in the rail, road, air and sea sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16989/15]
View answerCost competitiveness remains a key consideration for Ireland as an open export-oriented economy. The National Competitiveness Council last Friday published its annual report into "Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2015" which has mixed messages in relation to the transport sector. It found that Diesel prices are more expensive in Ireland than in the euro area and that while the cost of many transport services in Ireland has remained stable, air transport prices had increased over the previous year. It also found that it is more expensive (excluding tariffs) to export and import to and from Ireland by sea but that Irish administrative processes are efficient and compare favourably with processes in our key competitors. The Report is being considered by my Department.
Notwithstanding that, my Department continues to seek to introduce measures to improve competitiveness. The National Ports Policy approved by Government in 2013 has as its core objective the facilitation of a competitive and effective market for maritime transport services and actions to implement the Policy are already underway. The Government's aviation policy has and continues to favour competition. My Department invests heavily in our rail and road transport infrastructure, albeit at a lower level than previously, and to look at other means of reducing costs to the sectors, such as the fuel rebate scheme introduced by my Colleague the Minister for Finance for licensed transport operators, and the new online licensing system for road transport operators, both designed to reduce costs to the industry.
