Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which air freight costs here are competitive and in line with the such costs in adjoining jurisdictions; the factors if any making a difference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1827/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the cost of air passenger and freight transport here is competitive with similar services throughout Europe having particular regard to the availability of rail services as an alternative on mainland Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1833/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 262 together.

My Department engages with freight interests for the various modes, including air and rail, through its involvement with the All-Island Freight Forum. The Forum is jointly chaired by my Department and the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development. One of its primary roles is to draw together the Government side and industry stakeholders to characterise and progress the roles each can play in identifying and implementing measures to secure competitive, sustainable and safe freight transport domestically and internationally. In the context of the Working Groups established under the Forum, the Irish Maritime Development Office is currently undertaking a study on international connectivity encompassing air and sea connections and freight flow mapping on the island of Ireland which should provide clarity to all including business on the options available for the movement of goods.

As regards the competiveness of air transport costs, costs of both freight and passenger transport by air are set by the market. Policy on competitiveness is led by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.