Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will conclude what I was about to say and then respond to the Deputy's direct question.

The Port of Cork has been assisted by Department officials in applying for the EU's Connecting Europe Facility. We provided support and guidance on those applications. This can help the port obtain 30% of the costs for infrastructure and up to 50% of the costs for other studies. The results of these calls are expected in June or July of this year. We are working with the port on that. Furthermore, the Department of Transport signed an advisory agreement with the European Investment Bank. This output will be crucial to identifying how Irish ports will contribute to the meeting of our 2030 offshore targets

The results of the call will be announced in June. We are working with the Port of Cork with a view to ensuring this progresses. That is the current context. The Connecting Europe Facility has a clear role to play in the context of the infrastructure that is required. This development is key in ensuring wider progress offshore.

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