Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects legislation to go through Dáil Éireann regarding Rosslare Port; and if he has had any recent contact with his counterpart in the British Department of Transport. [35637/05]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects legislation to go through Dáil Éireann regarding Rosslare Port; if he has been in contact with his British counterpart to see if progress has been made on equally important legislation going through Westminster. [35638/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together.

Rosslare Port is currently owned by the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company, which is a British registered statutory company, jointly owned by CIE and Stena Line. The legal status of Rosslare Port is governed by various legislation dating back to 1894. The Department has been reviewing this legislation with a view to drafting new legislation to give the port a modern legislative framework. This will require legislation in Britain in addition to a Bill to be enacted by the Oireachtas. The Department intends to resume discussions with Irish Rail and Stena Line on this matter in 2006. Pending further discussions with Irish Rail and Stena, it would be premature to hold discussions on the matter with the Department for Transport in Britain.

It is too early at this point to say when the legislation will be put to the Oireachtas.