Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 37 together.

It is important that the market offers a diverse range of viable maritime links in and out of the State to facilitate trade and tourism. Ireland is well served by ferry links to the UK and continental Europe. These links are frequent and competitive. The full list of services can be viewed on the website of the Irish Maritime Development Office. Any new service must be market driven. It is not Government policy to fund international ferry services. Ireland has one of the most extensive short sea networks in Europe with multiple operators and various alternate modes of shipping available. In the past decade, there has been an 80% increase in the number of services between Ireland and the UK and European markets.

Shipping operates in a highly liberalised global market environment, which has enhanced competition on the key Irish routes. The ongoing development of our shipping network has provided the Irish market with more competition, choice and frequency in accessing the global market.

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