Phil Hogan
Ceist:82 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Marine the initiatives, if any, he will be taking, legislative or otherwise, to comply with the terms of the Maastricht Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Maastricht Treaty Compliance.
The development of trans-European networks arises from Articles 129 and 130 of the Treaty of Maastricht. Article 129 b to d provides for the Community to contribute to the establishment of trans-European networks (TENS) in a number of areas, including transport infrastructure. It requires the community to promote the interconnection and inter-operation of national networks, and access to them, taking account of the particular need to link island, landlocked and peripheral regions with the central regions of the community. Trans-European networks are being developed for all land modes of transport. Guidelines have been considered by the Council for a high speed train network; and proposals have been prepared for guidelines on combined transport, motorway and inland waterway networks. The Commission is committed, as a matter of priority, to developing guidelines for the remaining modes, i.e. conventional railways, airports and air traffic control, ports and maritime transport (to the extent that they are not covered by the proposal on combined transport) and vessel traffic systems (VTS). The ulimate aim is to integrate all the guidelines into a multi-model approach which will maximise the efficiency of transport operations in the Community.
The Department of the Marine have been participating in discussions on the TENS guidelines for ports and these are at present being finalised.