Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on Ireland's ferry connectivity in view of the recent total suspension of air travel services; if he is developing proposals to enhance ferry connectivity at present; the position regarding the development of the Bremore Port proposals; if he will undertake a strategic review of Irish port capacity and operations to 2030 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17859/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is one of the best served countries in Europe for Roll on/Roll off passenger ferry services. Currently there are nine operators operating from six ports to the United Kingdom and France with an average of sixty return sailings per day and a total passenger capacity of 20,669 passengers.

It is estimated an additional 62,000 passengers were carried through Irish ports when air travel services were suspended for six days in the aftermath of the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland. This resulted in a 300% increase in the demand for ferry passenger services over normal demand at this time of the year.

The Irish Maritime Development Office are currently undertaking a modelling exercise which will provide further information of the total potential available passenger capacity at any point in the year should such an event re-occur.

The Dublin Port Study carried out by my Department under the NDP was published in August 2009. It provides the most recent analysis of future traffic and capacity projections at our commercial seaports.

The study highlighted the need to develop significant additional port capacity by 2025 – 2030. Such is the nature of the expected future demand, the capacity required will necessitate the provision of significant developments, such as that envisaged at Dublin or Bremore, in addition to other projects around the State.

Drogheda Port Company, together with its private sector partners, continue to progress their plans to construct a new deepwater port in the Bremore area. However, a planning application has yet to be made.

A review of the 2005 Ports Policy Statement will commence later this year. This will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to comment on the medium to long-term capacity challenges faced by the sector.