I thank the joint committee for this opportunity, the first of many I am sure, to talk about the transport agenda at EU level and where we see the key opportunities and challenges ahead for Ireland in this regard.
With the permission of the Chair, as this is the first time I have had the opportunity to discuss EU issues, I would like to give a general overview of EU transport policy and its implications for Ireland and then go into more detail on the specific items on next week's Transport Council agenda.
Transport is a major part of the EU's legislative programme. It is a shared competence - along similar lines to agriculture, internal market, economic and social cohesion and others. The key objective as set out in the treaties is to develop a European transport infrastructure which is competitive and fit for purpose.
The Commission's ambitions are very high and the recent Commission White Paper on transport, which members of the committee have seen in a recent information note from my Department, sets out a comprehensive strategy for a competitive transport system that will increase mobility, remove major barriers in key areas and fuel growth and employment. At the same time, the process is aimed at dramatically reducing Europe's dependence on imported oil and cutting carbon emissions in transport by 60% by 2050.
The key goals by 2050 will include: an end to conventionally fuelled cars in cities; 40% use of sustainable low carbon fuels in aviation and at least a 40% cut in shipping emissions; and a 50% shift of medium distance intercity passenger and freight journeys from road to rail and waterborne transport, all of which will contribute to a 60% cut in transport emissions by the middle of the century.
The paper itself, however, does not contain any specific legislative changes. Transport Ministers had an exchange of views on the White Paper in June last where there was what I would describe as qualified support for its contents. In terms of its impact on Ireland's transport infrastructure, achieving the level of specifications and the targets set out would require significant investment over the 40 year perspective concerned. Clearly we are not well placed to deliver on many of the enhancements set out under the present fiscal and economic conditions. However, this should not deter us from looking at this in a positive way over the longer term.
As an open trading economy, heavily dependent on good transport links to our mainland European markets, we would welcome the type of improvements envisaged for Europe's transport infrastructure. These would certainly benefit Irish exporters and enhance Ireland's overall competitiveness. The manner and pace at which this is done will need to be given serious consideration. Ireland's peripheral location and the isolated nature of our network presents a particular set of challenges for us in this regard. For instance, the emphasis on the so-called modal shift from road to rail freight does not necessarily suit Ireland's transport needs, where rail freight is not a viable option in the way it is on mainland Europe. As an island we are clearly more dependent than most on good air and sea links, both for trade and tourism growth. Therefore, our ports and airports are a priority for investment.
As members will see when we talk in more detail about the Commission's new proposals for trans-European networks, a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate to transport policy development and we are all very alert to the potential impact of such an approach, particularly in terms of technical specifications and interoperability in Ireland's transport infrastructure.
Turning to next week's Transport Council, I will give a brief synopsis of what will happen and what position we are likely to take on the key issues for discussion. The Polish Presidency of the Commission has set a very ambitious agenda on transport and had hoped for a more ambitious outcome, particularly on the headline "TENS-T" dossier. For reasons largely outside their control they will fall somewhat short of their ambitions. Having said that, the Council will see good progress on some key dossiers. The Council should secure political agreement on the rail recast directive. As members will know from the extensive briefing provided recently by my Department, this proposal has been contentious since the Commission initially announced it in September 2010. A general approach was secured at Council last June. The European Parliament has just completed its first reading of the proposal. This should enable good progress under the Danish Presidency next year and hopefully the adoption of the directive later in 2010.
Council should also see a partial general approach to the so-called tachograph proposal. Tachographs play a crucial role in checking compliance by professional road transport drivers, with the rules on driving time and rest periods. They contribute to improving road safety, drivers' working conditions and fair competition between road transport companies. The proposed regulation is designed to provide for a smart tachograph, with updated technological features that will increase the security and cost of the tachograph system and reduce administrative costs. Ireland has expressed some concerns on this proposal and these are reflected in the general approach.
There are two items under the shipping heading, a proposed directive on training of seafarers and a regulation on single and double hull oil tankers, both of which should reach a general approach agreement. I understand the committee has taken an interest in the seafarers directive and we are happy that our concerns are being addressed in the negotiations on this proposal. My Department replied to the committee earlier this week to give it an update on the issues involved.
Council will also adopt a progress report on the Commission's proposed guidelines for a trans-European network. These proposals were published in mid-October and have been subject to very intensive discussions at a technical level on the Council. The proposed regulations set out a very ambitious vision for Europe's transport network and this is linked with a major funding programme proposed in the Commission's Connecting Europe facility. Ireland has voiced particular concerns and these are reflected in the Presidency's progress report.
In the agenda under Any Other Business, there are a number of aviation related points, including a presentation of the Commission's airport package, which was announced on 1 December last. There will also be updates from both the Presidency and the Commission on various dossiers. These will include a new proposal on the exploitation of European satellite navigation systems, European aviation safety management systems, an air cargo security plan, conferences on eastern partnership on transport, and implementation of the extension of the single European sky to third countries.
En marge of Council I will have a series of bilateral meetings, one with our team Presidency partners of Lithuania and Greece, another with Commission Vice President and Transport Commissioner, Siim Kallas, and another with Commission Vice President and Commissioner for Enterprise and Tourism, Antonio Tajani. These meetings are part of ongoing preparations for the Presidency in 2013 and a means of building a strong relationship with our EU partners. There should also be an opportunity for a bilateral meeting with the UK Minister, Justine Greening, to discuss the "TENS-T" proposal, where we share many concerns regarding the proposal.
I would be happy to provide a report to the committee on the outcome of the Council meeting and I will come back to the committee in the new year, particularly as our Presidency preparations gather speed.