Cormac Devlin
Question:294. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the details of the improvements made to Rosslare Europort as part of the Brexit preparations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32416/20]
View answerTuesday, 3 November 2020
Questions (294)
Written answers
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 on a commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann.
Brexit will have implications for a number of key ports and airports and Rosslare Europort continues to work closely with a range of Government Departments and Offices in preparing for the additional border controls and other impacts that will arise from Brexit.
The Programme for Government commits the Government to continue to work closely with Rosslare Port to ensure that it is ready for all Brexit scenarios. In this context, the Department of Transport is in regular contact with Rosslare Port management about the infrastructural requirements and other Brexit impacts on the port. My Department is advised by Iarnród Éireann that the Border Inspection Post at Kilrane will be fully ready for operation by 1 January. Plans for permanent facilities to be built within the Port are already underway by the State agencies.
I understand also that Rosslare Europort is actively seeking opportunities arising from Brexit to expand shipping services from the port to continental EU ports.
The Government has underlined the importance of the UK landbridge with the European Commission negotiating team and will continue to engage with our partners in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to ensure that the landbridge remains a viable and efficient route to market. This is important for Rosslare.
The Programme for Government also commits to ensuring that systems at Rosslare Port are Brexit-ready and adapted to take account of COVID-19 at the end of the transition period. This work is essential to ensuring Rosslare Europort can continue to play its full role as a critical part of Ireland’s economic and social infrastructure.
Finally, my Department is advised by Iarnród Éireann that recent consultations regarding Rosslare’s preparedness for Brexit between the port management, government agencies and shipping lines highlighted the general view that the Europort is well positioned to handle events beyond January 1, 2021.