asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether in view of the urgent need for adequate shipping services between Ireland and EEC countries to facilitate exporters and tourists he will now take steps to ensure that the resources of the B & I and Irish Shipping Limited be diverted as far as is necessary and feasible towards this end; and if he will make a statement outlining Government plans for improving transport links between Ireland and Europe.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shipping Services to Europe.
39.
Mr. O'Donnell
I am not aware of any inadequacy in shipping services between this country and EEC, which as the Deputy will be aware, are open to all shipping companies at home and abroad. The B & I and Irish Shipping Ltd. are alive to the opportunities which should arise from increased trade between Ireland and the EEC.
With delivery of a new vessel in May/June next, Irish Shipping Ltd., in partnership with Continental interests, will introduce a new service between Rosslare and Le Havre. This service will cater on a year-round basis for both tourist and freight interests. The B & I Company introduced in April, 1971, in conjunction with the Holland/America line a twice-weekly container service linking Dublin and Cork with Rotterdam and Le Havre. On the tourism side, the company have at present various arrangements with Continental operators for tourist traffic to Ireland using the UK landbridge routes. The company have recently completed a major examination of the potential for freight movements between Ireland and the enlarged EEC. In conjunction with that study they have examined various routing strategies and the implications for terminal and ship construction as a guide for future investment policies. The company have also commenced a similar study on the potential of passenger movements between Ireland and the Continental EEC and expect the results of that study early next year.
Is the Minister aware that certain problems have arisen due to the absence of a scheduled cattle shipping service to the Continent, to the mainland of Europe, and would he consider the possibility that B & I might undertake the provision of such a service because at the moment individual people with an entrée on the Continent almost control the shipping to the exclusion of many Irish operators?
B & I experience of a far more long-standing scheduled route in regard to live cattle, that is, between Ireland and Britain, has not been happy, as the Deputy is aware. They are watching the situation but this is a growth of live traffic trade of very recent origin. Certainly at the moment it appears to be adequately handled by the private interests concerned.
Is the Minister in a position to tell us how the allocation of live cattle will be granted on this line to Le Havre?
We are talking about two separate things.
That is why I want to get it clarified. I want to break the monopoly that exists.
The question relates entirely to freight and passenger traffic. Deputy Bruton's supplementary question was not strictly relevant because it related to live cattle, which is a separate issue altogether. The reply I gave related to freight and passenger traffic, not live cattle.
Will the question of live cattle be discussed with the introduction of this new service to Le Havre?
The new service to Le Havre relates to passenger and freight traffic. It does not relate to live cattle traffic at all.
Is the Minister not aware that there is a growing demand for the export of live cattle to the Continent?
That is a separate question. It does not arise.
The question relates to exporters.
It does arise. What about facilitating exporters? Obviously this includes cattle exporters.
The next question, the question I am about to answer, relates fully to this matter.