Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is correct. There are difficult challenges facing both ports and one can see from the statistics and the drop in goods coming in and out of the port that it has problems, which is why it commissioned its own report. The Government has commissioned its report. The Senator is correct that today's news is very good for the south east and I am delighted with it. He is also correct in saying this affords an opportunity to the ports. While he has not yet received the report, the Minister is committed to these two ports. It is important that the port companies consider ways and means to look for business, particularly following the announcement of the new jobs. The current situation cannot continue.

People must be realistic. If one loses that type of business and if that is the type of tonnage operating in the port, it just cannot exist. It requires the company, Government, community and business support of the region. Today's announcement is great. With regard to funding, there is EU funding and I hope some of that can be drawn down.

Wearing my other hat, Rosslare and Waterford, but particularly Rosslare, are important to our tourism infrastructure. We need that port very badly. Tourism is also very important for that region. For that reason I hope that when this report is produced something can be done for these ports through everybody working together.