asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport in view of the serious difficulties that have arisen for Irish exporters, due to the British seamen's strike and the consequences of this on our export trade, the action, if any, he is taking to provide alternative means of transporting goods to the United Kingdom and continental markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Private Notice Questions. - British Seamen's Strike.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the initiatives he proposes to take to ensure that Irish manufactured products gain ready access to world markets, as the British seamen's strike continues; if he can take any special measures to protect the perishable food industry; if he can quantify the losses to date caused by the strike to Irish manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will indicate the impact on Irish trade of the seamen's strike in Britain; the actions he has taken to mitigate it; and the expected outcome.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will make a statement on the steps he has taken to provide adequate ferry services to the United Kingdom and directly to the European continent in order to ensure the full flow of exports; and if he will report on the outcome of his discussions with trade interests today.
I propose to take these questions together.
I and my colleagues in Government are very concerned at the effects which the UK seamen's strike is having on Irish trade and especially on exporters of perishable commodities. I have kept in close and constant touch with the situation generally since the first interruption of services on the Irish Sea. In particular I have maintained close liaison with the B & I company who have confirmed to me that priority is being given at present, as far as is practicable, to the export of perishable products.
Obviously, there are constraints arising from the industrial relations aspects of this situation of which we must be conscious. I have arranged, however, to meet today at 4 p.m. with representatives of the ferry companies and of all the major parties affected to see what practical steps may be possible to alleviate the difficulties being experienced.
I want to assure the House that my Government colleagues and I could not be taking this situation more seriously and that we will do all in our power to mitigate the effects of the present dispute on our splendid export performance this year.
Is the Minister aware that this dispute has cut shipping capacity in the Irish Sea by more than half and that this affects a trade worth £12 million per day? As this is the second time in the last few months that an industrial dispute in Britain has jeopardised this important aspect of Irish trade, will the Minister make arrangements with the EC to use its good offices to secure a solution to this dispute in line with the provisions of Article III (E) of the Treaty of Rome? Will he also ask the EC to provide Ireland with the necessary funds to enable it to diversify its trade and transport arteries to reduce dependence on transit through Britain? Will the Minister make arrangements to facilitate or provide alternative transport services direct to the continent?
I am fully aware that the capacity has been very considerably lowered on the Irish Sea as a result of this dispute in which we have neither hand, act nor part. I am also fully aware of the value of our exports across the Irish Sea. My Department are exploring all methods by which we can alleviate the situation, including the one mentioned by Deputy Bruton. In regard to Deputy Bruton's remarks about transit, a large percentage of these goods are directly exported to Britain so it is not merely a problem in relation to transit.
Shipping companies unaffected by the strike have put on extra shipping and I should like to ask the Minister if there is any guarantee that the goods will be off-loaded when they arrive in Britain? I understand that about 60 per cent of our exports are at present being transported in roll-on/roll-off containers. Is there availability of suitable shipping in the event of, say, the B & I wanting to put on additional services of that nature to alleviate the difficulties caused by the strike?
As I indicated in my reply, there are constraints arising from the industrial relations aspect of the dispute which, as the House knows, is one between the P & O and the National Union of Seamen in England. I am sure the House is fully conscious of the type of constraint to which I refer. I hope that the meeting this afternoon with the representatives of the exporters and the transport companies will throw some light on the problem and indicate a way whereby we may alleviate it.
Will the Minister keep in mind the very special interests of the food industry, particularly food of a perishable nature? Will it be possible to divert a greater proportion of that food to air transport in the interim?
I am fully aware that perishable food is involved. Indeed, it is about the only time I remember having mushrooms at 3 a.m. I am proud of B & I for their efforts to get as much as possible away. We have been trying to find alternative ways for exporting mushrooms, meat and fish. CTT say that there have been no losses so far but that the next few days are crucial. There have been indications that there may be a breakthrough in the industrial dispute which is the source and origin of the whole problem. I hope that will be so. Alternatively, we will have to try to deal with the various problems here in situ to the full extent that is practicable.
Will the Minister say, drawing a long-term conclusion from this dispute, if the vulnerability of Irish trade to disputes in Britain over which we have no direct or indirect control is a very serious matter in view of the imminence of 1992, Europe without barriers, and the channel tunnel? Will the Minister agree that it is a matter that he, the Taoiseach and other Ministers should consider raising at the earliest opportunity with all the relevant authorities in the EC so that alternative arrangements can be made to ensure that our trade is not interfered with within Europe by disputes occurring in another member state?
I appreciate what the Deputy is saying. The Government have been working on the specific problems that have resulted from industrial unrest and a strike in the English Channel for 12 months to try to rectify the position with regard to the B & I. I am very pleased and proud that the B & I are giving a very good service now to Irish exporters to the limit of their capacity. I agree with Deputy Bruton that we should look down the road with regard to the changes that will be brought about in transport as a result of the Channel Tunnel. I think we will be able to cope with any problems.
That disposes of questions for today.
I have been trying to put a supplementary question to the Minister.
I am sorry, Deputy, but I am calling the Order of Business.