Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. Given there are three ports of tier 1 status, Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes, will he accept the latter is the one with the greatest disadvantages in connectivity? Given its strategic importance on the west coast, along with its proximity to Moneypoint, Tarbert and Aughinish Island, there is a need for an overall plan for infrastructural connectivity to be developed. I know the Minister travelled the N69 recently from Limerick to Foynes and will be aware of the poor road quality and the number of towns it passes through. It takes a long time for hauliers and other port users to travel on the road and the traffic levels do have an impact on local communities.

What avenues are the Department, the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the Rail Procurement Agency, RPA, looking at with private equity to deliver improved road and rail infrastructure for the port? It is probably the best positioned port in the country with its shelter, depth and location. No other port can accommodate the size of vessels it can. However, it seems to be hamstrung by its road and rail connectivity.

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