Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 2

Written Answers. - Euro Tunnel.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

49 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his attention has been drawn to the implications for Irish Rail passengers following the construction of the Euro tunnel and the restructuring of rail traffic in Great Britain; if, having regard to the fact that the Euro tunnel will benefit substantially from EC Structural Funds, he will raise the matter with the European Commission for Transport and also with the British Minister for Transport in order to ensure that the rail connections between Britain and Ireland are so structured as to maximise the benefits of the Euro tunnel for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism and Transport (Mr. S. Brennan)

My Department are continuing to monitor closely developments in relation to the Channel Tunnel. Our concerns about the necessity and importance of good and fast rail links from west British ports for Irish passenger and freight traffics to and from the south of England and transiting the tunnel have been made known to the United Kingdom authorities. Córas Iompair Éireann are also studying the potential of the tunnel with a view to developing plans to optimise the opportunities for Irish rail traffic as a result of the opening of the tunnel and the Single Market.

Furthermore, a consultancy study was recently commissioned by my Department to examine how access links between Ireland, Britain and the continent can be improved. This study will, of course, take account of developments in relation to the Channel Tunnel and the single market. The Commission of the European Communities is represented on the steering committee for the study. The overall situation will be reviewed in the light of the consultants' report which I expect to be completed in about four months' time.