Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. I am interested to see all the statistics on trade flows following Brexit. We have got statistics from the economic committee of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, BIPA, as well as the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Interestingly, Mr. O'Connell indicated that Covid-19 has been the biggest determination of trade within the port and so on. I will ask about trade flows and the Windsor Framework, which has been launched. I guess it is too early to assess how that might impact on trade flows or will the ports consider that issue? That question is directed at both witnesses.

On land usage at Dublin Port, from a constituency point of view, I represent Dublin Bay North, where the proposed infill of 52 acres and the reclamation of land has been an issue of major concern to my constituents going back to the early 1980s. The constituencies adjacent to Dublin Port keep an eye on what the port is doing. It is very important for the economic life of the city and the country. I note the projects to be rolled out in the Dublin Port 2040 master plan. What does Mr. O'Connell have to say about the 14.6 ha of land which was handed over to the Office of Public Works? This needs to be reassessed. What is the land being used for? Is it being fully utilised by the State? What efforts is Dublin Port making to put its case for getting some of that land back?

Is Mr. O'Connell satisfied that the road infrastructure at Dublin Port is satisfactory? I am thinking of the Dublin Port tunnel, in particular. Is he satisfied the tunnel is operating well? Are there capacity issues and does more need to be done with the road infrastructure for Dublin Port?