The President of the Irish Hotels Federation has called on the Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan TD, to deregulate Ireland's national transport infrastructure.

Addressing the Federation's annual conference in Galway today, IHF President, Mr Jim Murphy, said that liberalisation of Ireland's transport infrastructure was critical to ensuring that access for tourists to areas outside of key population areas was created and maintained.

"Competition is the key to improving Ireland's transport infrastructure and if this entails breaking up CIE and introducing competitive transport services than so be it. Not only do we need an excellent transport infrastructure for consumers, but visitors to Ireland need to be given greater choice and flexibility in how they wish to travel to areas outside of the capital", said Mr Murphy.

"In recent years we have seen the results of increased competition in transport services to and from Dublin airport. The launch of the AirCoach service to Dublin Airport gives visitors greater flexibility in terms of travelling to and from the city centre, surrounding suburbs and connected links to other destinations. The fact that over 500,000 people had availed of the service in its first year of operation is evidence enough of the need to liberalise transport services throughout the country.

"The Citylink route from Galway to Dublin Airport was also a welcome service for visitors and locals alike, offering a quality additional transport choice to potential travellers. The deregulation of the taxi industry has also created an increased supply of taxis to and from the capital's bus and train stations, ferries and Dublin airport", added Mr Murphy.

Mr Murphy noted that Minister Brennan's decision to liberalise transport services must be welcomed and that any attempt by unions to hold liberalisation to ransom could not be justified:

"The facts are clear that competition benefits consumers by improving the quality of services provided as well as reducing prices which consumers pay. Anything that improves the competitiveness of Ireland's tourism product, including transport and infrastructure services, must be embraced and introduced immediately."

For further information contact:
Siobhan Molloy / Niamh Boylan
Weber Shandwick FCC
Tel: 01 676 0168 or (086) 817 50 66 / 086 380 9191
Email: nboylan@webershandwick.com