Vol. 398 No. 3
5 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will co-operate with the Standing Conference for Regional Policy of South Wales in their efforts to upgrade the service from Swansea to continental destinations, as this proposal may benefit the access of Irish producers to European markets.
I understand that the Deputy's question relates to the upgrading of rail services between Swansea and Continental Europe.
I will be happy to provide whatever support I can to the Standing Conference for Regional Policy in South Wales in their efforts to achieve improved rail services from Swansea to continental destinations.
In that context, my Department have requested that the potential for Irish ferry traffic, using an upgraded rail service between Swansea and Continental Europe, be assessed in the context of the Consultancy Study on Access Transport which I commissioned earlier this year.
I welcome the Minister's comments in relation to supporting the efforts of the South Wales Regional Policy Conference setting out to improve the rail link between Swansea and London with a view to improving their access to the continent. Would the Minister accept that that access route can play a vital part in opening up the continent to both passenger and freight services from this country; that, in view of the development of the Channel Tunnel, not only can that route play a vital role but, as a country, we should be seen to both co-operate with and assist the South Wales Regional Policy Conference to ensure the best possible access to these markets?
I agree with the Deputy. I have no difficulty at all in proceeding on that basis. I might just say to the Deputy and the House that of course, the southern corridor, is critical. I will be giving full support along the lines the Deputy has suggested. I must say, that the Dublin-Holyhead route is obviously the larger one, carrying more freight and traffic, and that the route from Holyhead down through the centre of the United Kingdom and on to the tunnel remains a priority. In that regard I might inform the House that I have written to Mr. Cecil Parkinson, the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Transport, highlighting to him Ireland's keen interest in improving road and rail infrastructure to Holyhead. I have also written to Mr. Jim Tunney, the co-Chairman of the British/Irish Interparliamentary Body and have sent Deputies Barry and Spring a copy of that letter which sets out my keen interest in developing access to the tunnel. I am keeping in close touch with the United Kingdom authorities in order to ensure that tourists and freight can get across the United Kingdom to the tunnel as speedily as possible. We are looking particularly at the rail and road links in that area.
I can assure the Minister that his correspondence in relation to the British-Irish Interparliamentary Group will receive a positive response because it is the type of area in which we have a role to play. In relation to his statement that the Dublin-Holyhead link is equally important, would he agree it is very important for us not to put all our eggs in one basket but rather to exploit as many possible options as present themselves. Does the Minister foresee any opportunity, during the remaining months of his Presidency of the Tourism Council, to promote the subject matter of this question?
I have raised the matter with the Transport Commissioner, Carl Van Miert of Belgium, on more than one occasion, pointing out to him — not that he needs the information — the proportionately more important role of access transport to Ireland because of our island status with a view to ensuring that the EC understand that our ferry ways and air links are our roads to the United Kingdom and the continent. We are getting to a point where the EC accept that argument and progress will be made. As I said, with the help of the EC, I have commissioned a major consultative study the results of which I hope to have very soon. They have been charged with identifying the arteries we must try to develop. I share Deputy Spring's view that we must look on the UK's road and rail arteries as arteries through which our freight can get to the continent.
Would the Minister agree the extent of the problem is such that what is needed is a development and promotional policy for Dublin port and Rosslare in view of the fact 125,000 units are being collected as far south as Cork and brought to Larne, Warrenpoint and Belfast dock and onwards to as far south as London ignoring the central and southern corridors in the process and that it would make sense, given that the cost to the economy is £56 million, to have a free ship operating either from the central or southern corridor? Would the Minister agree that drastic action is needed as well as a development and promotional policy for both Dublin port and Rosslare?
I understand that both Dublin port and Rosslare have commenced marketing drives and I would be happy to encourage them to go further. I should point out that I have provided funds for the development of the Cork-Swansea car ferry this year and am placing my faith in the business people of the Cork and Kerry region to make sure that it pays its way. Finally, I do not support the idea of a free ship.
