Vol. 478 No. 3
124 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure that Irish livestock exporters have roll-on roll-off shipping facilities to enable them to exploit traditional markets in Europe. [11018/97]
The provision of roll-on roll-off shipping facilities for the export of livestock to Europe is primarily a matter for the ferry operators themselves. At present, there are two ferry companies providing a service for the carriage of livestock to continental Europe. One of these resumed service on 25 March 1997 and sails every second day. It has a capacity of four units — trucks — per sailing and carries all types of livestock.The second company sails three times per week, has a capacity of nine units and carries all livestock except calves under six months old. I understand that the capacity available on these services has been more than sufficient to cope with demand over recent weeks.
