Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is the umpteenth time I have brought up with the Taoiseach and Ministers in this House the neglect of Rosslare Europort and the lack of any financial input from this Government or previous governments during the 30 years I spent in the haulage industry and the 17 months I have spent in this House. All parties in the House agree that Rosslare Europort is Ireland's most strategic port. All parties agree that it is being neglected, has been neglected and is in dire need of investment. All parties agree that the port has seen a 400% increase in traffic, taking Ireland's valuable imports and exports to and from the EU mainland, since the inception of Brexit. The Government has not provided one penny in assistance. In the teeth of a housing crisis, when the costs of building material imports are rising by the minute, it makes perfect sense for such materials to arrive at the closest point on this island, which is Rosslare Europort. For hauliers, the very serious lack of drivers is causing great problems. Ireland will ultimately end up not being able to compete on a European and world stage as a result. I ask that this be considered with regard to the direct mainland routes that have been made viable by Rosslare Europort's development of them.

We have spent taxpayers' money to make it the most accessible port in the country. The Government intends to spend €500 million of taxpayers' money on a planned upgrade to complete the M11 from Oilgate to Rosslare. Why? From the day I first set foot in this House, I have spoken about the need for joined-up thinking when spending taxpayers' money to give the taxpayer absolute value for money. If we have spent €500 million bypassing New Ross and Enniscorthy and intend to spend another €500 million to complete the M11, surely the Government cannot deny that to establish a wind farm construction base project anywhere but Rosslare would be a waste of taxpayers' money. Giving the taxpayer value for money is what we are elected to do. Giving double the bang for the taxpayers' buck would be a common-sense approach for the Government to take.

Some 30 years ago, the entrepreneur, Liam Griffin, had the foresight to ask the then Government to invest in Rosslare Europort. He outlined the port's potential at the time but that Government did not listen. Is this Government listening now? Upgrading Rosslare Europort is in the country's best interest. It is the kind of common-sense measure that makes economic sense and results in value for money that people want to see from the Government. Does the Taoiseach have that common sense? When will moneys be invested in Rosslare, which is in the country's best interests?

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