Mr. Ciarán Aylward:

It is quite similar to the categorisation that the EU Commission has adopted. Tier 1 ports are deemed to be of high national significance and generally ports whose overall tonnage exceeds 20% of the national total. Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes are tier 1 ports. They are in line to get priority in terms of investment from the European Union.

The tier 2 ports, which are of regional significance, would be Waterford and Rosslare.