Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he has had with Dublin Port Company on the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment project, particularly regarding the proposed cruise berths; and if he will provide an update on expected timelines for delivery. [46662/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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380. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding provision is being considered to support the delivery of new cruise berths at Dublin Port as part of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46665/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.

As per the National Ports Policy (2013), State-owned commercial port companies do not receive Exchequer funding. These entities operate as self-financing commercial businesses and are expected to fund infrastructure and development projects through their own revenues, borrowings, EU grant funding, or private sector investment. Consequently, all capital expenditure at commercial State ports is undertaken without recourse to the Exchequer.

With respect to the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment project at Dublin Port, there are no proposed cruise berths within this programme. This decision was informed by the findings of Dublin Port Company's 2020 cruise consultation, which can be accessed here: www.dublinport.ie/masterplan/cruise-consultation/.

In recent years, the number of mid-sized cruise ships making direct calls to Dublin Port has remained relatively stable, with approximately 30 to 40 requests annually. In addition, Dublin Port Company facilitates over 60 cruise calls each year to Dublin Bay, where passengers are tendered ashore to Dún Laoghaire.

As part of its Masterplan 2040, Dublin Port Company is undertaking a series of transformative infrastructure investments to enhance port facilities and future-proof maritime capacity to support the Irish economy. This includes major developments in the Alexandra Basin and North Wall Quay, which will primarily accommodate Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and Load-on/Load-off (LoLo) freight to and from Continental Europe.

I have been advised that these essential strategic developments require that Berth 18 in Dublin Port will become unavailable for cruise calls from the third quarter of 2027. As such, Dublin Port will be unable to provide certainty to operators beyond this point and is not accepting bookings, either for cruise or other vessels, to call at Dublin Port Berth 18 from Q3 2027. I have been advised that Dublin Port Company is currently in the process of advising existing cruise customers and their agents of this.

Subject to commercial and operational review, there is potential for many of the vessels currently calling to Berth 18 to be accommodated at Dún Laoghaire. Key to this is Dún Laoghaire receiving Maritime Usage Licence and Marine Area Consent to complete a planned dredging project. Dublin Port Company is actively working with Dun Laoghaire stakeholders in relation to this. Dublin Port Company will also continue to facilitate cruise calls each year to Dublin Bay, where passengers are tendered ashore to Dún Laoghaire.

Dublin Port Company has also rejoined Cruise Ireland, the all-island organisation promoting cruise business and destination development, to share expertise and support this important tourism sector and to ensure key stakeholders are fully briefed on developments at Dublin Port. Dublin Port Company recognises the contribution cruise tourism brings to the Dublin region and is supportive of the work in other ports and destinations that offer growth opportunities for cruise around the island of Ireland.

Dublin Port Company’s core mandate is to facilitate international trade. Dublin Port accounts for circa 50% of all freight through Irish Ports with approximately €165 billion worth of imports and exports and 1.6 million ferry passengers using the Port in 2024. The Port operates within a constrained footprint, with a total of 265 hectares at its disposal and limited berth space to handle more than 15,000 vessel movements each year. The Port is already experiencing capacity pinch points, which its Masterplan 2040 will address, enabling the Port to stay ahead of projected demand.

While my Department does not impose any restrictions on the number of cruise ships that may visit Irish ports, it maintains regular engagement with the ports as a matter of normal practice for effective corporate governance and strategic alignment. Cruise visits themselves remain operational matters managed by individual port companies, with commercial arrangements negotiated directly between the port and the respective cruise operators.