Mr. Glenn Carr:

My apologies for the earlier technical sound problem. I have a dual role - one is general manager of Rosslare Europort and the other is in respect of rail freight. As Mr. Kenny said, we are putting together a national rail freight strategy. We strongly believe there is a very positive role for rail freight to play. There is work to be done to ensure that we identify the commercial opportunities where rail freight would be viable. The current service going into Dublin Port from Ballina is a good example of that. However, it is about how one can replicate opportunities like that around the network and around the country, wherever they would be best served. We should not forget Waterford Port in the south east, which is a rail connected port. In order to make rail freight really work, it is important it is connected into ports. I know the initial master plan for Rosslare Europort is very focused on the development of roll-on roll-off because that is where the greatest opportunity for the port lies. That has been demonstrated over the last number of weeks.

There is a real opportunity with offshore wind. At the moment, no port in the country has the right amount of infrastructure for exactly what this industry requires. We conducted extensive research on this over the last 12 to 18 months, which recognised the opportunity. We strongly believe that Rosslare Europort is best positioned to service that industry, particularly since the development of offshore wind banks will extend from County Louth right around to County Cork. Rosslare Europort has potential, obviously with the right investment. The port can be deepened, land can be reclaimed quite easily and a multi-purpose hub can be provided for offshore wind which can connect with the available land beside the port. This land can also be developed for associated industry and educational development in respect of the offshore wind sector.

This would not only be a significant change for Rosslare Europort but a significant change for the south east given the jobs and opportunities that it would bring. We should not forget that if we do not capture the construction and installation stages of offshore wind, a big opportunity will be lost in terms of the economics that go along with those projects. We have put forward a very good proposition. It requires investment to the tune of €200 million. However, we believe that €200 million is much better served in a location like Rosslare Europort than possibly anywhere else in the country.

The Senator asked about other things that are needed. We certainly need the motorway and the link road to be completed. They are absolutely essential. I would not underestimate the difference that 20 minutes off a journey can make. The committee heard from the IRHA earlier and I am sure it told members that time and money are critical factors in that industry and in keeping our supply chains going. The growth we have seen in Rosslare Europort has highlighted the importance of the part that it can play for the country. We have taken a little business away from Mr. O'Reilly but that can be well-catered for as regards alleviating some of the pressures on Dublin Port. It is very important that Rosslare Europort is developed as it can alleviate some of the pressure points that occur, particularly in a capital city and on a motorway and in helping to keep Dublin Port operating. A 10% shift out of Dublin Port might not hit Mr. O'Reilly's balance sheet too heavily but it does absolute wonders for the balance sheet in Rosslare Europort because of its scale. We are seeing an additional 70,000 to 80,000 units come to us. That is all good for the country in keeping the supply chain going.

We should not forget the pre-Covid congestion on the M50 and the impact that was having on our supply chain and on industry. That congestion will come back. As regards the NDP, we certainly need a motorway and the connectivity to the ports completed. We need offshore wind for other reasons because that facility and investment brings other opportunities for Rosslare Europort. It would be hard to justify other areas of activity for the port unless the infrastructure is in place.

What one needs is a big project to justify the investment in that infrastructure. Offshore brings that potential, particularly because of the length of the projects and the activity. These projects go on for 20 years or more. Therefore, the investment and infrastructure involved is over a much longer scale whereas if one concentrates on roll-on roll-off, for instance, one's guarantee of supply of that business is subject to the shipping lines and the market. However, we know offshore is coming, action in respect of climate is urgently needed and that this will be dealt with. It is important we build the infrastructure at a port to support that industry.

I agree fully there are great opportunities for tourism once Covid-19 is over. For the first time in a long time, the shipping industry is in a unique position to offer a different experience for the traveller. We are all used to going on airplanes so maybe people will have second thoughts about that. It was great to see the Stena Estrid, the latest ship by Stena Line, in Rosslare. It is at the top end in terms of the customer's on board experience. That type of product - in fairness, Irish Ferries has the W.B. Yeats -can offer a really good experience for the customers when they come on board. The shipping industry will actively seek to work with tourism bodies, ports, etc., to encourage people to use them.

We have seen some interesting things with the new service to Dunkirk. Recently, we had contact from the European motor home society which has nearly 1 million members across Europe. It was delighted with these new services and connections but more so with the frequency of those services, which has been critical in the success on the freight. Having six services a week out of Dunkirk will also give real choice to tourists. We will work closely with the tourism industry in Wexford, the relevant chambers and the wider tourism sector in Ireland and the corresponding bodies in France and elsewhere in Europe to develop these links because this is a good opportunity.