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

Who could have as much common sense as the Deputy? In the context of Brexit, the importance of Rosslare Europort is very evident. It has given us capacity and flexibility in dealing with the Brexit situation. Another area in which there is potential relates to the development of port facilities to facilitate renewable wind energy generation offshore. We have now developed the maritime planning framework and the maritime area planning Bill 2021. This really sends a strong signal to investors. Government policy is now to have one proper streamlined planning process for offshore wind facilities. That creates opportunities for Rosslare and other ports, although Rosslare is particularly well placed on the east coast in that regard. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is making a lot of progress on the offshore electricity transmission system and the renewable electricity support scheme. We are looking at developments in those areas in the context of Rosslare Europort.

As I have said, the port has responded very well to Brexit and to the impacts of Covid-19. The shipping operators have demonstrated their capacity to respond quickly and to move capacity to where it has been sought by businesses in Ireland, in the United Kingdom and on the Continent. Due to Brexit, Rosslare Europort has seen the largest growth of any port in the number of direct European services with sailings increasing from three a week to 14 return journeys, or 28 journeys in total, weekly. The strategic development plans of Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort for the port include a planned investment of €42 million in customer facilities, port infrastructure, freight facilities, port assets, new technology and linking the new entrance to the port with the proposed new port access road. Clearance works commenced in late 2020 and are scheduled to continue over a number of years in a number of phases. Rosslare Europort is reporting that these works are well under way.

I have already instanced the development of offshore renewable energy generation. The Department of Transport met with Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort on 1 July to explore the potential for European Union funding for the port under the Connecting Europe Facility, CEF, which provides funding for offshore wind energy facilities. The first call for applications under the CEF is expected in September 2021. There is potential for up to 50% of eligible costs for studies and up to the 30% of infrastructural work costs to be funded. Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort are looking at the funding opportunities under the CEF. It is their intention to apply for funding for eligible works and studies in September. The Government will be supporting them in that regard. The Irish Maritime Development Office is carrying out consultations with the renewables sector. There is a lot of interest in this space. I will come back to the Deputy on this in my supplementary response.

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