Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Regardless of the result of Brexit, Ireland's economy is going to be damaged. We have to respond. The outline of the UK Government white paper does not suggest a particularly soft Brexit. Under the proposals, the UK would still leave the customs union. There would still be different tariffs on goods for the UK and Ireland. There could be different regulation for many of those goods. The UK would not be part of the Single Market for services or the free movement of people. As such, it is not at all clear that Ireland will in future retain full and free access to all the UK's transport networks and the critical land bridge.

The result of all this ambiguity and complexity is increased risk for Irish jobs and trade. In that context, it is imperative that new high quality transport routes between Ireland and mainland Europe are developed. The trans-European transport network, TEN-T, programme is exactly the type of funding Ireland should be leveraging to develop these routes. Violeta Bulc, the EU Transport Commissioner, has stated clearly that there is an opportunity for Ireland and the Government to push for, and succeed in, instigating a review long before 2023 with a view to drawing down some serious funding for investment. One relevant route is the rail link between Dublin, Rosslare and through Rosslare Europort. The route goes through my constituency of Wicklow. Right now, the rail link is creaking at the seams in terms of transport and commuter services. Every week constituents contact my office about it. The carriages are full. The frequency is not what it needs to be. Irish Rail has said it will be years before it can get the new carriages to put on that line as well as increase frequency and capacity. Moreover, significant new work is required on coastal protection for some of the required upgrades. TEN-T funding could help upgrade the rail link, strengthening the land bridge with mainland Europe, supporting Irish jobs, supporting Irish trade and providing the commuter services required.

The Brexit clock is ticking. We are rapidly running out of time. I hope the Government will move quickly to instigate a new review for this funding.

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