Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that will be taken to further develop Rosslare Europort as a centre for direct shipping between Ireland and the continent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16418/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, Rosslare is a Tier 2 Port under National Ports Policy and a Comprehensive Port under European TEN-T Policy.

Rosslare is unique among the State-owned ports, as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts but is instead operated on a commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann with all investments funded from port revenues. This is similar to other ports in Ireland which receive no Exchequer funding and must fund all their infrastructure developments through their own resources, borrowing or through EU grant funding.

There has been a significant increase in shipping services from Rosslare direct to the continent as a result of Brexit. Rosslare reports huge demand for these services with an almost 500% increase in freight units through Rosslare when compared to the same period last year.

Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort’s strategic development plans for the port over the coming years includes investment plans for €35 million in customer facilities, port infrastructure, freight facilities, port assets, new technology and linking the new entrance of the port with the proposed new port access road.

The Masterplan will allow for expansion in the port’s current key areas of RoRo freight and passenger transport.

The Department of Transport (DoT) has been advised by Iarnród Éireann that this investment is to be financed from the port’s own resources and planning approval has been granted by Wexford County Council for the development.

The Department has further been advised by Iarnród Éireann that clearance work commenced in December 2020. The company envisages the completion of this work over the course of four phases totalling between three and five years and that the port will be able to continue to operate normally while this is carried out.

In addition, with regard to the upgrade of the N11/N25 from Oilgate to Rosslare Harbour, Wexford County Council is in the process of studying feasible options for the development of this project, taking into account feedback received from local residents and community groups during the public consultation. It is currently anticipated that the preferred scheme option will be confirmed and announced by week ending 18th of July.

Wexford County Council are also progressing the N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road and the preferred scheme option was confirmed in December 2020. The Preferred Scheme Option is now progressing through Design and Environmental Evalu­ation, and it is anticipated that the scheme will proceed to Statutory Processes in late 2021.

The N25 Rosslare Europort Access Road will tie-into the N25 Ballygillane Roundabout which is anticipated to proceed to construction in late 2021.