Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
661. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to develop facilities at ports and airports in order to enhance access to the European Union and the global community in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7092/19]
View answerAs an island nation, Ireland is entirely dependent on maritime and aviation networks for trade, tourism and the movement of people. Safeguarding the continuing free flow of trade is a priority for my Department in preparing for Brexit.
In this context, the National Development Plan sets out a range of Investments that will strongly support the continued development and improvement in Ireland’s ports and State airports by the relevant commercial State bodies, consistent with sectoral priorities already defined through National Ports Policy and National Aviation Policy, in addition to continued Exchequer support for the small regional airports.
Significant investment currently and over the coming years in Ireland’s airports and ports will play a major role in safeguarding and enhancing Ireland’s international connectivity which is fundamental to Ireland’s international competitiveness, trading performance in both goods and services and enhancing its attractiveness to foreign direct investment.
In addition to this, and In light of the UK’s intention to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, physical infrastructure will be required for customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and health checks and controls at Dublin Port, Rosslare Harbour and Dublin Airport.
The establishment of these controls for both a withdrawal agreement and a no-deal exit scenario is being undertaken by the OPW and overseen by an Interdepartmental Group at Secretary General level, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The Group has focussed on these three locations for which we are heavily dependent on connectivity to the UK.
In 2018, my Department, in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office, commissioned a Ports Capacity Study to assess capacity within the Irish port system to meet present and future demand. Work on the study is ongoing.
The Department has also assessed the maritime capacity for direct sailings between Ireland and continental EU ports as a potential alternative route for trade currently using the UK Landbridge. Based on consultations with the shipping sector and wider, the preliminary assessment is that sufficient capacity will be available on direct routes to continental ports from end March 2019, and should demand for further capacity arise, the shipping sector can respond quickly to meet such demands.
