Mr. Glenn Carr:

I thank the committee for the opportunity to discuss Rosslare Europort. Members will be aware that Rosslare Europort has seen substantial growth in the past two years, particularly with the advent of Brexit. We now handle between 18% and 20% of the ro-ro freight traffic in the country and we forecast that more than 600,000 passengers will go through the port in 2023. We have seen a sixfold increase in shipping services at the port and a 398% increase in EU freight now entering and leaving the country through the port. These increases in services have played a particularly important role for our exporters and importers and have ensured that our supply chains have been maintained over the past two years.

We are now entering a very important era when we will see the highest ever investment in Rosslare Europort in its history. That investment will comprise a number of infrastructure projects that will enable the port to help to address a number of the issues that have been mentioned, particularly capacity in the south east. It will provide a new port access road and the connection of motorways into the port. The investment will also enable Rosslare Europort to play a vital role in the new offshore renewable energy hub. Rosslare Europort is now primed to take full advantage of these opportunities. The five infrastructure projects commencing this July include the construction of the terminal 7 border control facility in conjunction with the work that has been undertaken with the Office of Public Works, OPW, various Departments, CIÉ and our stakeholders at the port. This will also include the completion of our port freight and passenger masterplan. We are also heavily advancing the digitisation of the port to utilise the opportunities provided by technology to increase efficiencies and throughput at the port which can sometimes not be matched by the physical space required. We have had great support from Wexford County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, with the new port access road which will alleviate the congestion currently being experienced, particularly in Kilrane and communities close to the port. We will provide new access for passengers that will enable them to spend locally and to access the port separately from the freight traffic.

The development of offshore renewable energy, ORE, is obviously critical for the country. Having conducted an extensive review with the industry, the local community and the planning authorities, we believe that the ideal location for the development of the initial offshore renewable energy hub facility is Rosslare Europort. We are the closest port, in nautical miles, to the majority of windfarms that will be built in the Irish and Celtic Seas. Significant work is under way and nearing completion on the business case as well as the design, planning and funding of the offshore renewable energy hub. This proposal offers the offshore industry and the State the best port infrastructure investment option to ensure that Ireland maximises the opportunities available. It is our stated ambition to deliver Ireland's national ORE hub by 2027, providing a world-class facility that will drive the delivery of these projects. This will ensure that the economic opportunity of substantial jobs and enterprise is created for the south east and the wider economy. Our planned new facility at the port will also be designed to be multimodal in the future. This means that once the heavy ORE activity is completed for the various projects, the facility at the port will be easily transferable for additional ro-ro, con-ro and lo-lo activity. This will be of strategic importance for the east coast, especially given the future capacity problems at Dublin Port over the next decade, as outlined by Mr. O'Connell.

We are currently in the planning phase of this major project. I wish to express our gratitude for the support we have received to-date from the various Departments and Government agencies along with the ORE industry and the potential developers involved. However, we must ensure that the Rosslare hub project is delivered on time as we simply cannot allow the port that is best located to support these projects not to deliver the infrastructure required to meet the industry needs. Iarnród Éireann is committed and will continue to work at pace to deliver this project, but ongoing support will be required to ensure that the planning, construction, delivery and appropriate funding mechanisms and workable solutions are found as the opportunities associated with this project are too great to be missed.

It is critical that connectivity from Rosslare Europort to all major cities and industrial hubs throughout Ireland be further supported and developed. I already mentioned the new port access road which is being funded by TFI and Wexford County Council. The Oilgate to Rosslare motorway is under review and we look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders on it.

We cannot forget the challenges that traffic congestion and over-reliance on Dublin creates especially now that is has been proven how a regional port like Rosslare can attract and handle new freight and passengers as demonstrated over the past two years.

We cannot not shy away from the importance of ensuring how a more sustainable way to move freight and passengers at our ports and around the country can be delivered. As part of our medium to longer terms plans for Rosslare, we see an opportunity to further connect it by means of rail, particularly rail freight. We await the outcome of the strategic all-island rail review regarding how this might be best achieved.

As part my wider brief within Iarnród Éireann I have responsibility for national rail freight. Creating and enhancing rail connectivity to our key seaports will be essential to ensure we grow rail freight across the country and meet the real opportunities that industry and society now demands.

We have very ambitious plans for rail freight, and we must enhance and grow rail freight at Dublin and Waterford ports which are already connected. Work has commenced on the reinstatement of the Shannon to Foynes line and discussions are under way with the Port of Cork regarding possible future rail freight connections. Rail freight is a key national and EU policy in decarbonising the transport sector. Ports have a responsibility to ensure that rail-based solutions form part of their master plans. Connecting ports and rail will deliver sustainable alternatives and create regional balanced economic activity.