James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop Rosslare Europort, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7542/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Deputy will be 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.

The Deputy may also be interested to know that Iarnród Éireann is currently undertaking a strategic review of Rosslare Europort and expects to have this completed by the end of March.

In addition, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), in conjunction with my Department, has commenced a study into the use of the UK Land-bridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK Land-bridge at present, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on Land-bridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable. This piece of research is also expected to be completed by the end of March and should inform the potential for the future utilisation of all Ports, including Rosslare Europort.