I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 44 together.
It has been recognised for some time that Irish industry, and particularly hauliers and exporters, are at a disadvantage vis-à-vis their Northern Ireland counterparts in relation to overall transport costs. One of the ways in which this is manifested is the loss of traffic to ports in Northern Ireland. This diversion of traffic is attributable to a number of interwoven factors which operate in favour of the Northern ports, including shipping costs, frequency and capacity of shipping services, port charges, lower costs of Northern Ireland hauliers and so on.
This problem has been addressed in the National Development Plan, which includes proposals for major EC-assisted investment in special sea and air freight services linking Ireland with Britain and the European mainland. A major feasibility study into these proposals will be commenced shortly. The study, which will be steered by a committee representative of the Departments of Tourism and Transport, the Marine and Finance and the European Commission, under the chairmanship of a senior officer of my Department, will have broad terms of reference. Apart from considering specific investment projects, it will examine the factors in the Irish transport sector which impose excessive costs on Irish exporters.
Recommendations arising from the feasibility study will be given careful consideration with a view to appropriate action being taken to improve Ireland's freight links with Britain and the Continent.