Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide funding for the dredging of Rosslare Harbour Europort; if an application for funding for this work has been received in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30470/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's Ports Policy Statement, which I launched early last year, sets out current policy in relation to the ports sector, including the funding of port infrastructure developments.

The Policy Statement states that the state owned ports, as commercial entities, should be capable of funding their operations and infrastructure requirements without relying on Exchequer support. Such funding, if available, would only be considered after other funding opportunities available to the ports themselves were fully exhausted (e.g. through efficiencies, optimum use of existing resources, port charge adjustments, borrowings and private sector investment).

No application for funding has been received by my Department from Rosslare harbour. Rosslare did make a detailed submission outlining various proposals for new capacity in a recent study into port capacity carried out by consultants on behalf of my Department. The Department will closely monitor the progress of the proposals put forward, including Rosslare's.