David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by Irish exporters due to a shortage of availability of freight shipping containers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20086/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The issue of any difficulties being experienced by Irish exporters due to a shortage of availability of freight shipping containers has not been previously raised with me or with my officials. My Department has consulted the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the matter raised by the Deputy and inquires have also been made with Enterprise Ireland, the Dublin Port Company and the Irish Exporters Association. It appears that the ongoing strong performance of our exporters, which is very welcome, may indeed be causing some difficulties at present in terms of the availability of containers here in Ireland. Following the consultations to which I have referred, I am advised that a resolution of any continuing difficulty in this area is essentially a matter for the shipping companies active in the market.