Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 21, 23 and 31 together.

My Department has recently received a report from Inter-trade Ireland, in association with the Joint Business Council, which addresses key issues and makes recommendations in terms of freight transport, both within and beyond the island of Ireland. The report is a very comprehensive and substantial document. The efficient movement of goods is recognised by my Department to be of crucial importance to the Irish economy and our competitiveness.

My Department is considering the recommendations in the report. Key recommendations relate to improving the forecasting of future capacity requirements, improving access to ports and airports, addressing urban congestion, making progress on improving key road corridors and making use of European funded programmes. In this regard, the all-island dimension to the issues raised is well recognised, as are the possibilities that may present through the North-South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council.

Pending completion of my Department's analysis of the report, it is too early to respond in any detail to its recommendations. Nonetheless, I very much welcome the report which will help inform policy development in my Department on the road freight sector.

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