Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, and congratulate him on his important role. Unlike my colleague, I would certainly not describe him as hapless. He is well able to express opinions on a range of issues. While this matter relates to the transport brief, the Minister of State's role on EU affairs is pertinent given the importance of Rosslare Europort and the completion of the last leg of a 340 km motorway that runs all the way from Belfast to Rosslare. For that reason this is vitally important.

The Minister of State will be aware of how Rosslare Europort has grown, and how it has become even more important in the post-Brexit context. Cumulative trade in the port has grown by 53% in the past two years. The increase in continental trade in the port has been of the order of 398% in the past two years. Last week, a deal was signed between the ESB and Rosslare Europort on the development of an offshore wind hub in Rosslare. Rosslare is becoming even more critically important. Coincidentally, Glenn Carr, the manager of Rosslare Europort was before the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs this morning to outline how the port is developing. He stressed the importance of the road and rail connections into the port and why they need to be improved.

Today, I seek an update, as I have done previously in this House, on the completion of the last section of the M11 motorway from Oilgate to Rosslare. Rosslare is now the number one port for direct freight and passengers services to the European Union. Therefore, although my question is on transport, it is also critical to the Minister of State's European responsibilities. There is a master plan in place for Rosslare Europort and the port is proceeding apace with its development. It is important that we have good transport access in and out of the port. The completion of the M11 is essential not only for the port itself but also for the communities in central and south-east County Wexford who are currently dealing with all the traffic. Anyone travelling south at the moment does so along the very fine M11 road into the village of Oilgate, where there are regular traffic jams and delays. It is a great community there and the village will be freed up once the motorway is completed, as will other villages and communities along the existing route.

The project has been stated to be a Government priority but some concerns were expressed recently about the length of time it is taking to move on this critical piece of infrastructure. It is not just important for Wexford and the south east, this is now of all-Ireland importance. The rail connections are also important but in particular, given that this is a roll-on, roll-off port, we must make sure that the last leg of the journey is completed as soon as possible. I understand there are now moves to carry out a design and environmental evaluation of the selected route. I hope the Minister of State will be able to provide us today with a realistic timetable as to when the M11 will be completed.