Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am keen to mitigate any adverse effects that Brexit or other factors may have on the tourism industry, including cruise tourism. With these concerns in mind, I met with the Dublin Port Company recently regarding its capital development plans and rationale for prioritisation in the context of Brexit, as well as the specifics with regard to cruise berths.

At the meeting, Dublin Port outlined the ambitious development programme under way to provide additional cargo handling capacity to cater for our growing economy. Given space constraints, it was explained that cruise berths will have to be limited for a period from 2021 onwards to allow this construction work to take place, while ensuring the port can continue to handle large cargo volumes. It is expected the period of disruption will be two to three years and will impact on three cruise seasons.

Nonetheless, Dublin Port confirmed it will operate a full cruise season in 2019 and 2020. Although the subsequent temporary reduction in berths available to cruise calls is regrettable, the company intends to build cruise calls back to 150 ships for the 2024-2025 season. The company is also considering the potential for a significant additional investment which would increase capacity for cruise liner berthing to over 200 ships. Consideration of that investment is at an early stage and would be conditional on some factors outside of Dublin Port's control, such as securing the necessary finance and securing long-term guarantees from the cruise industry.

With regard to the wider tourism industry, in my meeting with the company, I emphasised the need for the Dublin Port Company to take account of the broader impacts of its commercial decisions. This includes the effect on sectors supporting the cruise tourism industry or serving cruise visitors, not just in Dublin but in other ports and associated regions. While Dublin Port is important in attracting cruise liners to Ireland through Dublin, the benefits that accrue to other ports around our coast are significant.

In the meantime, Cobh continues as a dedicated cruise berth and will remain so post Brexit. The Port of Cork is working with Belfast Harbour to see if it can take some of the additional business which may be lost as a result of Dublin Port's infrastructural works. In addition, Fáilte Ireland continues to support the development and promotion of the cruise tourism sector.

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