Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister of State is new to the portfolio and I congratulate her and wish her every success in the future. I would like to draw her attention to the need for investment in Rosslare Europort, which is Ireland's most strategic port in relation to accessing the European mainland once the UK leaves the EU, and currently. The landbridge will become defunct for the hauliers and their drivers, who wish to comply with driving regulation times and serve their customers' best interests post Brexit. I have spent 30 years as a haulier, working in logistics, and it is a fact that if a daily direct ferry service to the EU is not established prior to Brexit, confidence will not be with the exporters or importers, markets will not be reached and jobs will be lost. Hauliers and logistics managers cannot assure customers they will be saved from the chaos of the landbridge and HGV drivers are already anticipating chaos and will not do the job post Brexit if it involves unnecessary time delays which will lead to extra time away from their families. This can be avoided with preparation.

Rosslare has potential like no other port in Ireland. It is the first accessible port on the east coast, making it more attractive to any UK provider post Brexit. We must prepare Rosslare and maximise its potential for the benefit of the country and take rightful advantage of the ill wind that Brexit is for Ireland.

Will the Minister of State confirm she will invest in Rosslare Europort and make the necessary request to the EU to safeguard the national interest post Brexit by applying to the EU for tier 1 status for the port and make Rosslare a free zone?

My other point on Rosslare is that Carbon Trust said in a recent study that Rosslare is the most suitable site for the required wind energy base to construct turbines for the offshore wind farms planned to service Ireland and UK markets. There is a significant amount of preparation required in the port to accommodate the base. That is costly but ultimately an investment and, as such, is beneficial and value for money for the Exchequer on a national project basis. Many boxes can be ticked with one lump sum. Not only does it develop the port for freight and passenger services for the future, but the real value is that Ireland's future energy and fuel source must be carbon free. The Minister of State, as a previous Chair of the climate action committee, will appreciate that. We need wind energy if we are to be carbon free and my research points towards hydrogen as the fossil fuel replacement. Rosslare has the space for a hydrogen plant for the future.

Rosslare is about investing in Ireland's future. The investment is about joining the dots on all levels and giving the taxpayer value for money. Can the Minister of State unlock the potential for Ireland and be the first one to commit to developing Rosslare for the good of the country and its future?

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