Mr. Glenn Carr:

I am the general manager for Rosslare Europort. Rosslare Europort is the second busiest roll-on, roll-off, ro-ro, port in the country. On average annually, the port handles up to 120,000 freight trailers, 800,000 passengers, 20,000 trade cars and about 50,000 tonnes of bulk. The port enjoys the advantage of having capacity, space and surrounding land availability to both ease the possible disruption of the Brexit process and to attract new business. As the closest port to mainland Europe, Rosslare Europort offers the quickest direct sailing times to key European ports, offering an alternative to the current use and dependency of the UK landbridge. Opportunities for new routes are being explored with French, Belgian, Spanish and Dutch ports as well as with various shipping lines operating the ro-ro market. Working closely with Government and State agencies, shipping lines and haulage industry, Rosslare Europort will be ready for both a no-deal and transition deal on 31 October.

Rosslare Europort was recommended and approved for significant facility upgrades as part of the Government central case to meet customs, Revenue, agriculture and immigration controls post Brexit. A 16-acre temporary border inspection post, BIP, and facilities have been designed and built by the OPW which will help ensure that freight and passenger traffic will be efficiently discharged from the berths to the BIP away from the port, which will help ensure any issues in the event of no deal will be managed in an orderly fashion as best as possible. The longer-term central case designs for permanent facilities are under way and will link in with the master plan designs for the development of the port and incorporate further improved road access and connections. Additional resources in customs, Revenue, agriculture and health have been recruited and trained by the relevant agencies to provide the necessary support and to ensure the efficient movement of freight and people through the port. Through ongoing engagement with a stakeholder group with Government agencies, shipping lines and industry, both transition deal and no-deal scenarios are finalised, with workshops and exercises having taken place and more planned in the coming weeks.

Rosslare Europort would like to acknowledge the positive engagements and ongoing support throughout this process from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

A no-deal Brexit will bring fundamental changes and challenges regarding how the movement of freight and people between the UK and Ireland will operate at ports. These changes and challenges will be managed to ensure the efficient movement of trade and people between both countries through ongoing contingency planning, communications and investment in infrastructure, resources and facilities at Rosslare Europort. We are happy to address any questions.