Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018
442. Deputy Robert Troy asked 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]
View answerMy 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.
