Vol. 524 No. 4
61 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself in relation to the adequacy of passenger and goods accommodation on the various sea routes; his views on whether this accommodation adequately addresses Ireland's position as an island nation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22796/00]
A number of competing private sector shipping companies provide shipping services to serve Irish importers and exporters. These companies have been innovative in their provision of jumbo ferries, fast ferries and dedicated container ships to serve the growing Irish economy.
I am not aware that there is at present any lack of shipping capacity on the sea routes serving Ireland.
Irish Ferries' recent commissioning of a shipyard to build the world's largest cruise ferry, for service on the Irish sea, is one indication of the dynamism of the Irish shipping sector.
The Deputy will also be aware of the Government's recent initiative, setting up by statute in December last a new dedicated Irish Maritime Development Office – IMDO – within the Marine Institute, with the following remit: to promote and assist the development of Irish shipping and Irish shipping services; to promote Ireland as a centre for ship registration; to develop and implement a strategic framework for the shipping industry and its ancillary service sector and to liaise with and support the industry and advise on policy initiatives and overhaul of the legislative framework for the mercantile marine so as to underpin industrial development and safeguard and generate employment.
An expert advisory group for the Irish Maritime Development Office, comprising representatives of the shipping industry and shipping services sector, IDA Ireland, independent financial, legal and business people and Departments, was formally established in December 1999.
The IMDO is now finalising its first report which it will present to me shortly. This report will, inter alia, set out proposals aimed at promoting the development of Irish shipping and shipping services and at attracting to Ireland additional marine related service sector operations and major players in the sector's manning, technical, chartering, legal and financial areas.
The IMDO provides the Government with the means to address any issues of concern which might arise regarding the adequacy of shipping capacity serving the Irish economy.
Finally, the Deputy will be aware that policy in relation to ports is to provide sufficient capacity to meet the growth in demand for shipping services and to allow for competition between shippers, to the benefit of importers and exporters, in that context.
