Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 268: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the fact that member states of the European Union may provide national support to short sea shipping routes in accordance with EU guidelines on state aid to maritime transport involving funding of up to 30% for three years, he will arrange to seek clarification from the European Commission with regard to providing financial support for a shipping line between Cork and Swansea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33742/08]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Port of Cork Company is continuing to engage in discussions with a number of interested parties and stakeholders with a view to the latter commencing a new passenger and freight service on the Cork-Swansea route. The Port of Cork Company also completed a feasibility study on the route and this indicated that a service, subject to procuring a suitable vessel, could be feasible for year round passenger and freight operations. The Port of Cork Company will continue to do what it can to facilitate the resumption of the service.

It is not the practice to subsidise international shipping routes, nor are there any funds available to my Department for this purpose.

However, there are two European Commission programmes that encourage development of transnational shipping routes with the objective of shifting freight from the roads network; they are the Motorways of the Sea and Marco Polo programmes. These programmes are run by the European Commission and are guided by a specific set of rules and framework.

The Irish Maritime Development Office regularly publishes full details of these programmes on its website (www.imdo.ie).