Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

499. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the facilities in Rosslare harbour for rail freight; the amount of freight which is transported by rail from Rosslare to other parts of the country; his plans for Rosslare harbour in the context of export diversification following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29504/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​Issues relating to facilities and the amount of rail freight handled at Rosslare Europort are operational matters for the port and I have therefore forwarded the question to Iarnód Éireann for direct reply.

In relation to Brexit, my Department held a Workshop in April on the impact of Brexit on maritime transport, regulation and on the sectors on which this impacts. Stakeholders, including Rosslare Europort, were invited from organisations across the broader maritime sector, such as merchant shipping, national shipping, fishing vessels, recreational craft, ports, equipment suppliers, service providers and training providers.

My Department is about to commence a study into the use of the UK Landbridge by Irish importers and exporters.  The purpose of the research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK Landbridge currently, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on Landbridge usage and the various options that may be viable. As one of our key RoRo ports, the impact of Brexit on the use of the UK landbridge is of obvious significant importance to Rosslare, all the more so given its advantageous location in terms of potential direct shipping to Continental Europe.