Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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227. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated to deepen a berth at Rosslare Europort from seven metres to nine metres. [53347/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Deputy is aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State owned ports as it is not a company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann.

I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's questions to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the feasibility of deepening the port of Waterford has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53348/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Port of Waterford currently maintains depths at 6.5 metres below datum (i.e. at low water). Hence, at high tide, the port has  10.5 metres in the channel (assuming a 4m tide). This allows the port to accommodate ships with a draft of 9 metres. The port would routinely handle very substantial vessels. In the container handling (Lo-Lo/Unitised) operations the current port depths work well for the type of short sea and feeder vessels that are regarded as appropriate for the current market.

There is some demand for a move to 9.5 metre drafts for a portion of the ports bulk business.  This is something the port is currently examining using its recently developed estuary model. This model will allow the port to evaluate the potential to gain greater depth, gauge the capital outlay and wider estuary impact and, most importantly, understand the ongoing cost of maintaining a new depth.