Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent, if any, to which comparisons have been made between transport costs here and those in neighbouring jurisdictions with particular reference to the need to achieve competitiveness and to maximise job opportunities in this economy; if he has identified the issues most likely to prevent achievement of this objective; the degree to which he intends to take steps to address such issues in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18909/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has compared transport costs here with that appertaining in adjoining and competing jurisdictions; his intentions if any to address emerging issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19213/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which any examination has been done with a view to identification of issues affecting the transport sector here with particular reference to costs; if other jurisdictions have an advantage; if it is intended to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19214/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 182 and 183 together.

International comparative data on transport costs are not readily available from respected international statistical sources such as Eurostat and the International Transport Forum.

My Department has no direct control of transport costs in general but keeps under review costs arising from the services provided through our agencies.

Cost competitiveness is a key consideration for Ireland as an open export-oriented economy and transport is one of the many factors influencing that competitiveness. The Government's plans to improve competitiveness are set out in the Programme for Government and place a heavy emphasis on the delivery of effective transport services. I have also outlined my transport and tourism priorities to 2016 on my Department's website. In addition, the Government's Jobs Initiative includes a number of measures intended to stimulate tourism by increasing the competitiveness of access transport and our tourism product.