Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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442. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his departmental officials have had meetings with or made representations to relevant EU officials and bodies regarding an early review of Ireland's TEN-T infrastructure in view of the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28701/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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My officials have met and are liaising with the European Commission in relation to the TEN-T network in the context of Brexit and have raised Ireland’s concerns about the implications for connectivity and trade should the UK no longer be part of the TEN-T network.

Last month I also met with Professor Peter Balazs, the EU Coordinator for the North Sea Mediterranean Corridor, and Mr Brian Simpson, the EU Coordinator for Motorways of the Sea, at which I again raised our concerns about the impact of Brexit on Ireland’s connectivity and peripherality.

Earlier this month, the European Commission published its proposal for a new Regulation for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the funding instrument for TEN-T, to come into effect from 1 January 2021. At the request of my Department, the Annex to the draft proposal provides for an extension of the Core Belfast – Dublin - Cork TEN-T Corridor to include the port of Shannon Foynes and also, on cross-border sections of the comprehensive network, to include sections of the cross-border Dublin – Strabane – Letterkenny comprehensive road.

My Department is also committed to making a more detailed submission to the European Commission in respect of the TEN-T network, taking account of the implications of Brexit, the current National Development Plan and National Planning Framework.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding for ports to upgrade their physical infrastructure to cope with the impacts of Brexit will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28702/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Ports operate as independent commercial companies and fund their own capital development programmes.

Exchequer funding is not provided to ports for infrastructural development under National Ports policy.

Ports are examining the potential implications of Brexit and are currently working with the key state agencies, Revenue, Customs and Agriculture, to prepare for the potential implications of Brexit. In addition, shipping companies (which are market driven) are making provision for larger vessels with extra capacity on direct routes to Europe.

The UK’s exit from the EU in 2019 highlights the importance of high quality international maritime connectivity and the importance of continuing investment to further improve the quality of port facilities.

Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes are currently undertaking major capital infrastructure programmes. These programmes will enhance national and international connectivity, and provide for future increases in trade and national port capacity requirements by facilitating more vessels, larger sized vessels and increased tonnage and throughput.

Strengthening access routes to Ireland’s ports through investment to upgrade and enhance the road transport network is, and remains, a Government priority. Examples of such investments include the ongoing development of the M11, to improve connectivity to Rosslare in the southeast; the planned N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road, to improve access to the Port of Cork; and the N21/N69 Limerick to Adare to Foynes Road, to improve access to Shannon Foynes Port.

As the Deputy is aware under Project 2040 some €4.8 billion will be invested by our State airports and ports, and separately, €6.6 billion will be invested in national roads.