Vol. 395 No. 2
52 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has any plans to reduce the cost of transport in this country in order that Irish hauliers will not continue to be at a disadvantage compared to hauliers in other EC countries.
The Government are fully aware of the essential nature of transport in the overall successful performance of the economy and it is our objective to improve as far as possible the competitive position of Irish hauliers vis-á-vis foreign hauliers. The Deputy will, however, appreciate that, as has been said in this House on previous occasions, control over many of the costs involved for hauliers — vehicles taxes, port charges, insurance etc. — do not lie within my remit as Minister for Tourism and Transport.
There are other factors which militate against fair competition for Irish hauliers. The inadequate state of the Irish road system for instance has been acknowledged as a significant cost element for Irish hauliers. In recognition of this fact the State, aided by EC Structural Funds, proposes to spend £662.7 million (at 1989 prices) in improving national and access roads to the principal ports and airports in the period 1989-93. Plans are also in hands for the improvement of the ports at Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Rosslare.
It is obviously essential that in order to compete effectively with their foreign counterparts, Irish hauliers should be able to arrive at their European destinations at the lowest possible cost and in the shortest possible time. It is important, therefore, that suitable access transport should be readily available. In that connection, I have arranged for a feasibility study to be undertaken by a firm of consultants to examine how access links between Ireland, Britain and the continent can be improved. Apart from considering proposals for investment in sea and air freight services, the study will examine factors in the Irish transport sector which impose excess costs on Irish exporters. The consultants' report is expected to be completed in about four months' time.
