Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I refer to an issue brought up by Deputy Crowe earlier regarding foreshore licensing. I am sure that the witnesses will be interested and probably aware that the proposed marine planning and development management Bill is progressing. It will implement a single and more efficient marine planning system, and input from any of the ports would be welcome regarding that process.

Mr. Keating referred to the importance of the reopening of the rail connection between Shannon and Foynes, and the importance of the offshore renewable energy, ORE, industry. Those are two projects which I firmly support and that are positive for that region. The loss of liquefied natural gas, LNG, and other fossil fuels will be more than made up for by the renewable energy industry and the potential that sector brings to this country. There is no future in fossil fuels whatsoever. On what Mr. Keating spoke about regarding Shannon Foynes Port, therefore, I ask Mr. Carr and Mr. Kenny, possibly, to comment on whether there is scope for rail freight as part of Rosslare Europort. Is Rosslare Europort in a position to scale up to take advantage of the ORE industry and the 5 GW in the Irish Sea? I ask that because there is a great deal of land around Rosslare Europort and we have heard much talk about road-based freight, which will always be part of the movement of freight in this country. There is no doubt about that aspect. If we are going to reduce transport emissions and issues with air quality, however, we must concentrate a great deal on rail. Rail transport is the future, and 2021 has been proposed as the year of rail in Europe. I am interested in hearing the views of the witnesses regarding Rosslare Europort and rail freight.