Mr. Glenn Carr:

I thank the Chairman and the committee for the opportunity to discuss Rosslare Europort and our preparedness for Brexit. Brexit has presented and will present many challenges and opportunities for Rosslare Europort, our customers and our stakeholders. Over the past two and a half years we have worked closely and in alignment with Government agencies, shipping lines, the haulage industry, trade associations and other key interest groups. At the forefront of all these discussions, working groups and planning processes has been the commitment of all parties involved to deliver the best workable solution that will have the least impact on the customer and the free movement of traffic in and out of Rosslare Europort. Rosslare Europort is the second busiest roll-on roll-off passenger port in the country and is a key strategic port for the country as we trade through Brexit. We handle on average approximately 14% of ro-ro traffic in the country, serving key routes into the UK and mainland Europe. For the sake of time, our services are set out in our written statement.

Increasing the connectivity and frequency of shipping services is the key objective in growing Rosslare Europort and its importance to the country. In particular, the growing of services to mainland Europe is essential to protect our exporters' and importers' supply lines and avoid the predicted disruptions to the UK land bridge envisaged post Brexit to these essential markets for Ireland. In 2019 direct ro-ro services from Rosslare to Europe decreased in number to three sailings per week following the decision of Irish Ferries to operate its Cherbourg service via Dublin. Today I am delighted to tell the committee that from January 2021 there will be 11 direct services from Rosslare to Europe, further increasing to 13 from March, representing a quadrupling of direct services to Europe from Rosslare in the past 18 months.

Despite the very positive increase in direct services to Europe from Rosslare, trade will continue with the UK, and it is equally important we ensure the smooth transition on our services to and from the UK in the new post-Brexit environment. Extensive planning and works have gone into Rosslare Europort, and I thank the Ministers and the Secretaries General and their teams from the Department of Transport, the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health and the Office of Public Works for their enormous support and guidance in our preparation. Significant investment in both infrastructure and resources has gone into Rosslare Europort from all Government agencies and Iarnród Éireann as port authority, and I am confident that Rosslare Europort is well prepared for Brexit. Recent consultations between port management, Government agencies, shipping lines and the haulage sector have highlighted the general view that Rosslare Europort is well positioned to handle events post 1 January 2021.

The temporary border inspection post facility, which will be the designated area in which to carry out the required checks post Brexit, is fully completed and operational, and all State agencies are amalgamated on the one site. Rosslare Europort is in a unique position in that the border inspection post is located approximately 1 km away from berths. This will ensure that freight and passenger traffic will continue to move freely to and from ships and the port post January, as it does today. While no doubt some congestion may occur during the initial stages of Brexit, no major congestion is envisaged. Consultation has also taken place with Wexford County Council and An Garda Síochána, with an agreed traffic management plan in place for both the port and the surrounding area. Furthermore, extensive signage at key locations has been identified both inside and outside of the port to ensure that the routing of traffic is clearly visible and understood to direct movements to the appropriate areas and avoid unnecessary congestion or confusion. State agencies have also engaged extensively with shipping lines and the haulage sector on the requirements post Brexit and the required paperwork and notifications that will be in place. Recognition should also be given to the shipping lines and industry associations such as the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, the Freight Transport Association of Ireland, FTAI, the Irish Exporters Association, IEA, and many others for their commitment and partnership approach in proactively engaging with customers, State agencies and Rosslare Europort. This has been a great all-round team effort, and I am very grateful to all who have been involved over the past 24 months in preparing Rosslare Europort.

Finally, while Brexit has presented and will present real challenges to the country, it has also highlighted the strategic importance of a regional port such as Rosslare and the key role it can play in supporting our economy. Rosslare Europort is now less than 90 minutes from the M50, and continued investment in road infrastructure is essential in order that the port has the required connectivity to all key industrial hubs in the country. Rosslare Europort can also help to alleviate the congestion that other ports such as Dublin experience. In doing so, it can provide real alternative options for the vital supply chains of Irish industry. This was most evident last week with the announcement by the DFDS shipping line of a new six-times-weekly direct service between Rosslare Europort and Dunkirk. The new service, which begins on 2 January 2021, will give Irish industry a vital post-Brexit connection, with congestion-free access to Rosslare Europort and land bridge-free access to the Continent of Europe. Added to our existing services, it will cement Rosslare's status as Ireland's gateway to Europe. I thank the Chairman and committee members.