Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her question and for raising the key issues pertaining to Rosslare Europort. In the context of Brexit, the Government is acutely aware of the necessity to work with the port and the Department and offices responsible in preparing for additional border controls and other impacts that will arise from Brexit. We acknowledge the role of Rosslare in that regard. The Deputy is correct that, given the challenges and difficulties that will arise with regard to the landbridge post Brexit, we need to make sure we utilise and maximise all available facilities and capacity that we have.

With regard to the tier 1 proposal, I think the Deputy is aware of how all of that developed in 2013 with the designation of ports on the basis of overall tonnage. At the time, the tier 2 ports received 2.5% of overall tonnage through Irish ports. Tier 1 ports received 15% to 20%. Post Brexit, the situation is changing and we have to diversify our approach. I know Rosslare Europort has been involved with the county council and the private sector and is seeking a free zone in that area. It is especially anxious to exploit the forthcoming opportunities that wind energy will present. We would be interested in combining both opportunities because there will be significant investment in wind energy over the next years. Ports will play an important role in servicing such activity. I hear the Deputy about the fundamental point of moving from tier to tier, but that obviously has broader implications related to port policy in general. There is the ongoing issue which we are all aware of with the ownership of the port and structures governing it. It is unique among the State's commercial ports and we should work on creating a better status for the port in the future.

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