James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1366. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the profit earned at Rosslare Europort; his plans for Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35739/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​I refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 1057 which I answered on Thursday, 13th July 2017 (copy attached).

REPLY

The most recently available audited financial accounts for Iarnród Éireann is for 2015 and shows that Rosslare Europort division made a surplus after tax of €2.345m.

In relation to the future of the port, the Deputy is aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was most recently considered in a strategic review, commissioned by my Department, and carried out by Indecon economic consultants.

Their report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult given the Port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the Port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.

In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.

Following that assessment my Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by my Department.