Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Jun 1990

Vol. 400 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Shipping Fleet.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

33 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Marine if, in his capacity as Chairman of the EC Council of Marine Ministers, he will outline the measures he is proposing in order to maintain the momentum on the package of measures designed to improve the operating conditions and competitiveness of the Community shipping fleet.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

The Deputy's question is opportune. The Minister for the Marine as President of Council, chaired the meeting of Marine Ministers which was held in Luxembourg yesterday. I attended as national delegate.

I should preface my reply by informing the Deputy of the fact that in the view of most member states, the "positive measures" package put forward by the Commission does not, as currently formulated, go far enough towards revitalising the Community fleet. That being said, however, considerable progress has been achieved in the maritime transport sector during the Irish Presidency:

—A compromise formula put forward by the Irish Presidency for the liberalisation of maritime cabotage has paved the way for the removal of barriers to the freedom to provide services within the Community. The Presidency proposal meets the concerns of both the Northern member states who have been pressing for liberalisation and of those Mediterranean countries who fear the economic and social consequences of an open regime. At yesterday's meeting Council noted that the Irish proposal provided a sound basis for detailed technical measures and instructed the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) to proceed on these lines with a view to bringing forward draft Regulations by December 1990.

—Broad agreement has been reached on the need to reduce costs associated with vessel transfer between Community registers. Council welcome the presentation of the Commission's proposals in this regard which will be examined in detail by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER).

—Agreement has also been reached during the Irish Presidency on Community negotiating aims for the Maritime Transport Sector in the context of the proposed General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) which will be concluded in December.

—In addition, Council adopted a resolution on measures to prevent maritime casualties resulting in pollution and agreed a Presidency Resolution on concerted Community action to improve the safety of passenger ferries.

I would assure the Deputy that the Irish Government will continue to press for the introduction of effective measures to assist Community fleets.