Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Verona Murphy that we need more balanced regional development. The national planning framework is a guideline for much of the work I do as Minister for Transport. It is critical to get more balanced regional development. If I recall correctly, approximately 97% roll-on, roll-off traffic comes through Dublin Port. That is an imbalance we need to address. I had a very good meeting with representatives of Foynes Port yesterday. They are looking at the potential development of container business from the port, which might rebalance things.

I absolutely agree with the Deputy that Rosslare Europort will have a critical role of strategic importance for the State, particularly because of Brexit, in terms of both the increasing travel directly to the Continent and the ongoing use of the land bridge from Wexford to the Welsh coast. First and foremost, I recognise that the staff and management of Rosslare Harbour have done a remarkable job. They have facilitated a significant increase in the number of sailings from the port and in the volume of output, particularly in recent months as a result of Brexit and the changing circumstances, and they have managed that in a way that no one could have expected. The Deputy is correct that, historically, there has been insufficient investment in Rosslare Europort. That is something we are now seeking to change. Various development prospects are being considered, including the significant development of the port as a centre for the roll-out of offshore wind industry, which offers significant potential for this country. That also may be the case for other ports. We will have to go very quickly through a process of assessing what type of investment is made and in which location, but I believe Rosslare Europort could provide an ideal location for such development.

A rail review is currently being carried out or started by the Government. That has to be included in looking at the future development of Rosslare. We need to look at the likes of the Wexford rail line and the now disused connection from Wexford to Waterford to see whether that could be a way of enhancing economic activity and social life in the south east. However, the Deputy is correct that we also need to improve road access to Rosslare Europort in light of its increasing strategic importance to the State. It takes time to build roads, which involves route selection, the planning process and procurement. There is also the issue of cost. The sections of motorway, dual carriageway or other national road which we are delivering do not come cheap. That said, I confirm to the Deputy that it is my view that it is one of the strategic areas in which we need to invest. We need to ensure we have the best possible connectivity to the Continent and other markets, including the UK. Rosslare will have a central part in that. Addressing this issue may well include consideration of the ownership issues of which the Deputy is aware. She mentioned the history in that regard. We may need to look at that as one of the elements we need to get right in the future management of Rosslare Europort.

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