Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1877. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding ferry services post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28184/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that Brittany Ferries currently operates a ferry service between Cork and Rosscoff. Ireland is well serviced in terms of ferry connectivity as the market offers a diverse range of viable maritime links in and out of the State. There are currently six shipping lines providing passenger and roro services, with, depending on the time of year, up to 226 weekly departures from Ireland to Britain and continental Europe. In addition there are 15 lolo only operators with 64 weekly departures from Ireland, with a number operating direct to the continent.  

My Department has no function in, or finance for, the provision or subsidisation of ferry services. We are bound by EU state aid rules and the limitations these impose.

In the year since the UK voted to leave the European Union, there has been no discernable negative impact on port and shipping activity. Trade through the ports has remained strong:  according to the latest iShip Index published by the Irish Maritime Development Office, shipping and port activity in the Republic of Ireland rose by 6% in the first quarter of 2017. 

As part of my Department's preparation for Brexit, there has been wide enagagement with sectoral stakeholders and I am aware that a significant proportion of goods destined for EU markets use the UK landbridge to access these markets.  The efficiency of these routes could be affected by Brexit, particularly if there were increased border and custom procedures and delays, or if the UK applied differing standards, road charging or regulatory regimes.

Shipping services are market driven.  In the past, ferry operators have responded to market developments and increased capacity when required.  I expect ferry services to develop and adapt to changing market demands and conditions following Britain's exit from the EU but will continue to monitor the situation closely.