Vol. 414 No. 2
6 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline his views on the conclusion by Commissioner Bruce Millan in his report Europe 2000 published on 16 October 1991, that the completion of the new high speed network associated with the channel tunnel will increase the relative peripherality of Ireland and certain other EC regions.
8 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline his views on the conclusion by Commissioner Bruce Millan in his report Europe 2000 published on 16 October 1991, that the completion of the new high speed network associated with the channel tunnel will increase the relative peripherality of Ireland and certain other EC regions.
20 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline his views on the conclusion by Commissioner Bruce Millan in his report Europe 2000 published on 16 October 1991, that the completion of the new high speed network associated with the channel tunnel will increase the relative peripherality of Ireland and certain other EC regions.
26 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline his views on the conclusion by Commissioner Bruce Millan in his report Europe 2000 published on 16 October 1991, that the completion of the new high speed network associated with the channel tunnel will increase the relative peripherality of Ireland and certain other EC regions.
29 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline his views on the conclusion by Commissioner Bruce Millan in his report Europe 2000 published on 16 October 1991, that the completion of the new high speed network associated with the channel tunnel will increase the relative peripherality of Ireland and certain other EC regions.
32 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline his views on the conclusion by Commissioner Bruce Millan in his report Europe 2000 published on 16 October 1991, that the completion of the new high speed network associated with the channel tunnel will increase the relative peripherality of Ireland and certain other EC regions.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 8, 20, 26, 29 and 32 together.
The conclusions about Ireland's relative peripherality in the Europe 2000 report referred to by the Deputy help underline the need for special provisions for peripheral regions. As Deputies are probably aware, the Government have already undertaken a range of initiatives to develop high quality, low cost transport and communications links with our trading partners, including the £800 million operational programme for peripherality co-funded by the EC and due for completion by 1994. It involves major investment in our primary roads, airports, seaports and public transport systems; liberalisation of air transport policies resulting in reduced fares, and much expanded services to our main markets; development of a state-of-the-art telecommunications system; ongoing discussions with the UK, and at EC level, about the importance of rail and road links between the channel tunnel and British ports serving Ireland; and an application for assistance towards investment in expanded transport services between Ireland and the Continent which is currently under consideration in Brussels.
Does the Minister envisage setting up a commission to report on the consequences of the Channel Tunnel to this country?
I have not got a commission in mind. I will, however, be watching it very carefully. This report acknowledges the post-tunnel situation but it also acknowledges and supports the types of initiatives that are necessary for Ireland to reduce peripherality. I have an action programme to reduce peripherality. I do not see the need for a commission as such but I will certainly see what other ways I can study the matter.
In view of the further tilting of the balance against Ireland and against the west arising out of the Channel Tunnel and associated developments, and in view of the fact that no Euro route gets further west than Kinnegad on the major structure that the Minister has been talking about, would the Minister not consider seeking Structural Funds for the immediate upgrading of the Sligo, Westport and Galway lines?
I am committed to investment in the railways, including investment in the Sligo line. Iarnród Éireann are given a specific allocation to maintain the railway network and it is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance to decide on the allocation of that within their budget.
It is not sufficient.
I am conscious of the difficulties on that line and I intend to take a personal interest in seeing what can be done.
Is it not a matter of acute personal embarrassment and some humiliation to the Minister that out of the total package of the peripherality programme, 1989-93, not one penny was sought for rail links outside the Dublin area? Is it not the case that the EC transport commission turned back the first submission because it was not an integrated transport plan as it had no reference to any thing other than roads in the first instance?
It did provide for some investment in rail links in urban areas, not so much in rural areas.
None.
I would have preferred to see a greater balance between rail and road in that programme. I am determined to ensure that in the next programme there is a greater emphasis on public transport. Roads are important too, but we must have both.
Was it a mistake, Minister?
I do not know of any road we should not have built.
In the light of this package that we are working towards, has the Minister plans to include in a new programme ports other than those which have already been mentioned to help us get our goods to Europe faster?
In the existing programme there is substantial investment in ports envisaged.
In a port that is on strike all the time.
I cannot tell the Deputy about the forthcoming programme because we have not concluded our consideration of it yet. I have no doubt that some port investment will be envisaged.
