Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
1085. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Rosslare Europort can become an independent body within CIE akin to Irish Rail and Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34401/17]
View answer1091. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the models Irish Rail and his Department are considering to increase allocations of investment to Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34430/17]
View answer1117. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the unpublished report by an organisation (details supplied) on Rosslare Europort which was published by the previous Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29947/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1085, 1091 and 1117 together.
The Deputy is 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 developments, 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.
