Written Answers Nos. 328-353
328. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport when the final report will be published by the air accident investigation unit into the accident involving the S92-A helicopter at Black Rock, County Mayo on 14 March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15104/21]
View answer389. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide further information in respect of the continued delay by the air accident investigation unit to report fully on the R116 crash; the details in relation to the delay in reporting on same; if aspects of the report are being contested; and his plans to address the delay that falls below international best practice (details supplied). [15768/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 389 together.
A Review Board was established last year to re-examine certain findings of the draft Final Report of the investigation into the accident involving Rescue 116 at Black Rock, Co Mayo on 14 March 2017.
The establishment of the Review Board is in line with ‘Statutory Instrument (SI) No 460 of 2009: Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations 2009’.
I understand that the work of the Review Board is ongoing. The Review Board is independent in its work in accordance with the 2009 Regulations and the timeframe for the Board to carry out the re-examination is a matter for the Chairperson to determine. The Air Accident Investigation Unit’s (AAIU) Final Report regarding the accident will not be published until the work of the Review Board is complete.
As per International Convention, EU Regulation and national legislation relating to accident investigation, the AAIU published a Fourth Interim Statement on its website on 12 March 2021 regarding the progress of the investigation into the accident.
329. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the age limit for drivers with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15106/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, the day-to-day management and operational aspects of public transport are the responsibility of the individual operators - in this case, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
330. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15129/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
DEPT/AGENCY |
Total Number Of Vehicles |
Diesel |
Petrol |
Electric |
Plug In Hybrid |
|
Dublin Airport |
180 |
154 |
0 |
20 |
6 |
|
Cork Airport |
18 |
17 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Shannon Airport |
48 |
41 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
25 |
14 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
|
Irish Aviaiton Authority |
14 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
National Transport Authority |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Transport Infrastructure Ireland |
12 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
Department - Air Accident Investigation Unit |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Department - Rail Accident Investigation Unit |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Department - Irish Coast Guard |
222 |
221 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin Port |
30 |
28 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Waterford Port |
9 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Cork Port |
14 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Shannon-Foynes |
11 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. The transport sector, which accounts for about 20% of Ireland’s overall carbon emissions, must play a central role in the national decarbonisation effort. The national car and van (LGV) fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including EVs, is a necessary step-change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2019 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years. The Government, supported by the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, has worked to ensure that conditions and policies are in place to support citizens in making greener vehicle choices. A comprehensive suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years, albeit from a low base.
My Department has convened an Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the near one million EV target by 2030 and to continue the concerted efforts across several Departments to hasten the current trajectory of EV sales. The Working Group has considered regulatory, financial and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales from very early in the decade.
In addition, in order to expedite the deployment of low emitting vehicles, an inter-Departmental Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Taskforce was jointly established by my two Departments to consider a full suite of potential measures available to Government. Phase 1 of the Taskforce concentrated on EVs; as part of this work, the important leadership role that Public Bodies and Government Departments can play in encouraging LEV uptake was examined. The Taskforce recommended the introduction of a new public procurement framework for EVs by 2020 and this recommendation was echoed in Action 149 of the Climate Action Plan: Enable the deployment of electric vehicles in public sector fleets.
The Office of Government Procurement has drawn up fixed price procurement frameworks for the supply of long and medium range battery electric passenger cars and vans to public sector bodies.
Full details on how to use the framework as well as pricing and supplier contact details can be found on the www.ogp.gov.ie website. At present, the Office of Government Procurement do not have a framework for electric vehicle chargers.
As battery and recharging technologies develop and a greater range of vehicles become commercially available I expect an increasing number of public bodies to transition to EVs, with low emitting vehicles being favoured where feasible.
331. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport his plans to add a bridle path element to greenways when they are being planned, designed and developed throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15181/21]
View answerI have no plans at present to add a bridle path element to Greenways. However, I understand that Sport Ireland, which falls under the aegis of my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has requested tenders from suitable consultants for the development of criteria for Horse Riding Trails in Ireland. I am advised by my colleague that a contract for this work will shortly be awarded and will include an examination of the potential for horse riding trails to be incorporated into trails with other users, including greenways.
If any issues arise of relevance arise in relation to the Greenways which my Department is funding, I will of course consider them if requested by my Ministerial colleague.
When that work has completed it will be considered by my Department. It must be kept in mind that Greenways are particularly attractive to family groups including small children and mixing horses and small children has safety implications for all, over and above the existing safety issues in mixing cyclists and pedestrians, while there are also maintenance issues and animal waste issues to be considered.
332. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the position on a road project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15198/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status and funding of this proposed project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
333. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to review the current regulations which require essential workers who wish to book a driver test to have completed their 12 EDT lessons; if essential workers will be allowed to start and complete their 12 EDT lessons during level 5 restrictions in order that they can book a date for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15238/21]
View answerThe current public health emergency has had a profoundly disruptive effect on the learning and testing system in this country and my Department is very aware of the frustration experienced by a large cohort of learner drivers, some of them essential workers, who have had to have their training suspended under level 5 restrictions.
Under these current restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. I fully appreciate the difficulties that this poses for learners who have not yet completed their required lessons and I can assure the Deputy that EDT will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. I must emphasise, however, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and minimising social contacts.
Officials both in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are working extremely hard to ensure that driver instruction and driver testing can return to normal capacity as soon as possible.
334. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if the driver theory test will be made available online to address the large backlog in applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15243/21]
View answerIn response to a request by my Department, the RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. The online service has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses and is now being evaluated with a view to extending the online service to all test types.
There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the service during the initial rollout phase, but the objective is that it should be an option for all theory test customers during later phases of the rollout.
335. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the plans to provide a bus service for Kilcully, Dublin Pike and Upper Glanmire, County Cork. [15258/21]
View answer336. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the plans to increase the frequency of the 207 bus service in Cork. [15259/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services. Therefore, the issues raised are a matter for the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
337. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the financial position of the CIÉ pension schemes both the regular wages scheme and any other scheme affected; if the CIÉ group withdrew funds from this scheme in 1994; if that funding has ever been restored; if the assurances given to CIÉ workers in 1987 on the division of the company into three bodies will be honoured, specifically in relation to pension provisions in the three subsidiary companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15272/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”). Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
338. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will give a renewed commitment that the State will fund the TEN-T priority route improvement project, County Donegal as prioritised within the National Planning Framework, Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018-2027 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15299/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status and funding of this project, pending also the Government's proposed review of the NDP .
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
339. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of a briefing from the RSA on restarting theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15311/21]
View answerMy Department is in constant contact with the RSA since the start of the pandemic regarding all of its services, the impact of Covid-19 on those services, and how they can best be maintained in the current circumstances.
The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions. The service will remain closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I must emphasise, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and minimising social contacts.
While the service is closed during Level 5 restrictions, the Road Safety Authority is examining ways of increasing the number of tests within health constraints with the aim of resuming testing after Level 5.
The RSA, together with its service provider, have put plans in place to increase capacity in the service from an average pre Covid19 capacity of 15,000 appointments up to 50,000 appointments per calendar month. This will help manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times. Assuming a resumption in early April the higher capacity will start to take effect by the end of April.
In addition to the increased capacity initiative, the RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. The online service has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses and is now being evaluated with a view to extending the online service to all test types during 2021. However, scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.
340. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views on an anomaly (details supplied) which may prevent or inadvertently financially penalise taxi drivers seeking to avail of the recently announced electric SPSV scheme; if he plans to address this matter to facilitate more taxi drivers availing of this grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15335/21]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including administration of grants for SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
341. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department will take to assist Irish citizens who were living abroad and returned to Ireland in the past year that currently hold a foreign driver licence which is due to expire; if he will consider extending these licences in the interim while driver lessons and testing are paused under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15378/21]
View answerThere is a distinction between motorists with a foreign driving licence visiting Ireland and those living in Ireland. A person can drive on a foreign licence for up to a year as a visitor to Ireland. This provision is provided for under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
A person resident in Ireland must have an Irish or EU driving licence to drive here.
Ireland can not extend a driving licence issued by another jurisdiction.
Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. It is important to remember that driver licensing law exists to ensure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet high standards of safety. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level.
As such, all EU driving licences are exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another. In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, we may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange. These agreements can be made only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes, so that each side can be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
In the absence of an exchange agreement, we have no option but to ask people to go through the necessary steps to obtain an Irish licence, as per the applicable EU legislation.
342. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driver test appointment in each centre by age in tabular form; and the length of time they are awaiting a test. [15415/21]
View answerSpecific details on the number of persons awaiting a driver test are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
343. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of essential driver training for essential workers at different stages of public health restrictions since March 2020, in tabular form. [15416/21]
View answerAs this is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response. I ask that he contact my offices if no reply has been received within 10 working days.
344. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications for a disabled driver pass in 2020 and to date in 2021, from each county in tabular form; and the number of applications pending due to primary medical certificate issues. [15417/21]
View answerWhile my Department is responsible for drafting the legislation underpinning the disabled parking scheme it has no role in the processing of permit applications.
SI No. 239 of 2011 - Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 formally authorises the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) to issue permits on the Department's behalf. The Department has no involvement in or sight of the applications processed by these bodies and is thus not in a position to comment on the volume received.
I would recommend that the Deputy request this information from the issuing bodies directly.
345. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his plans to lift the restrictions on essential driver training driving lessons in April 2021 given that many learners have had to stop in the middle or near the end of their 12 lessons due to Covid-19 which will create further delays for driver tests post-Covid-19. [15439/21]
View answerUnder level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. Essential Driver Training (EDT) is thus currently suspended.
While my Department is fully aware of the difficulties that this poses for essential workers who have not yet completed their 12 EDT lessons, I must emphasise that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and minimising social contacts in so far as is possible.
Officials both in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that EDT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
346. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if the number of bus stops will be examined on the 120 route in County Kildare (details supplied). [15447/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
347. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the way in which a person (details supplied) can progress the issue of their driving instructor not logging their final two driving lessons on the Road Safety Authority portal which is now closed. [15452/21]
View answerThe purpose of the Road Safety Authority's Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) online portal is to allow ADIs to upload confirmation of a learner's completion of each individual module laid out in the Essential Driver Training (EDT) system.
As the Deputy is aware, EDT is currently suspended as level 5 restrictions specify that ADIs may only offer lessons to candidates who have completed all 12 of their required EDT modules and have a test date confirmed. No EDT data can be uploaded to the online portal, therefore, because no EDT is currently taking place.
Having allowed an additional 7 week window in which to upload any outstanding EDT sessions completed prior to the imposition of level 5, the Road Safety Authority has now written to every ADI in the country to confirm that the facility to upload EDT through the online portal will be closed until the 5 April at the earliest.
In respect of the constituent mentioned by the Deputy, I must be clear that my Department has no sight of learner data and can neither comment on nor intervene in any individual case. I have thus forwarded this part of the query to the Road Safety Authority for direct response. I would ask that the Deputy contact my offices if no reply is received within ten working days.
348. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider allowing essential workers to be allowed to sit driving lessons at level 5 and at subsequent levels given the number of persons this would affect is relatively small. [15462/21]
View answerUnder level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. Essential Driver Training (EDT) is thus currently suspended.
While my Department is fully aware of the difficulties that this poses for essential workers who have not yet completed their 12 EDT lessons, I must emphasise that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and minimising social contacts in so far as is possible.
Officials both in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that EDT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
349. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is acceptable that a citizen has to wait 40 minutes on the telephone line to speak to a person in the National Driver Licence Service (details supplied). [15477/21]
View answerIn relation to the issues contacting the National Driving Licence Service, the NDLS has experienced unprecedented demand on its services due to Covid and customers can expect a considerable delay in getting to speak to a member of staff by phone or email. Delays to customers are regretted.
However, I would point out that the NDLS website, www.ndls.ie has a huge amount of information on it, and should be able to provide the answers to most customer queries. Customers also have the option of emailing info@ndls.ie where their query will be answered as quickly as possible.
In relation to the NDLS contacting the authorities in the UK to get British National Insurance Numbers, not only would this consitutute a serious breach of GDPR regulations, but a UK National Insurance Number is not required to exchange a UK driving licence. Details of the documents required to exchange a UK driving licence can be found on the NDLS website. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the documentation which the NDLS requires when making an application for a licence exchange.
The National Driving Licence Service is not a commercial enterprise, but rather a public service that is fundamental to not only road safety but the effective enforcement of road traffic law, and so it must operate in a manner that balances its statutory functions with an appropriate level of service.
350. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if costings will be provided for accessibility works to railway stations nationwide. [15483/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
351. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a matter on a truck licence for a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15490/21]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
353. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the efforts being made to encourage operators to increase direct shipping routes from Ireland to continental Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1334/21]
View answerIt has been clear for some time there would be disruption to the GB landbridge when customs and border controls between the EU and the UK were introduced at the end of the Brexit transition period. My Department, in conjunction with the IMDO, has been keeping the issue of direct shipping routes to the Continent under close review both in the context of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since January 2019, my Department has had very regular discussions with shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders about the issue of maritime connectivity. In that time, we have consistently received strong assurances from the shipping companies that if there is an increase in demand for shipping capacity on direct routes to Continental Europe, they would respond.
In the run up to 1 January 2021, my Department, with the IMDO and other key Departments, undertook a major communications campaign, urging business using the UK landbridge to consider a switch to direct routes to avoid disruptions due to the new control regimes.
We witnessed throughout 2020 and at the beginning of 2021 an unprecedented response from the shipping industry in terms of increasing capacity to match market demand. It has occurred across all relevant modes and has drawn from all available responses. These responses include (1) utilization of surplus capacity, (2) increasing capacity by altering schedules, (3) redeploying vessels within their fleets, and (4) adding new capacity in the form of additional vessels.
Number of Sailings
As of March 2021, there are around 68 RoRo freight sailings between Ireland and the Continent in a typical week. This includes five shipping operators, Irish Ferries, Stena Line, DFDS, Brittany Ferries and CLDN offering both accompanied and unaccompanied freight. This represents an increase of around 34 sailings per week, or around 150% increase in continental RoRo frequency compared to March 2020.
Specifically in relation to sailings between Ireland and France, in January 2020, there were 12 weekly sailings to and from Northern France. These were provided by Irish Ferries and Stena Line to the port of Cherbourg (not including the seasonal service operated by Brittany Ferries to Roscoff). In the last 12 months, the number of sailings to Northern France has increased by 30. Based on published schedules, there are now around 42 sailings per week to and from the ports of Dunkerque and Cherbourg, Roscoff and St Malo provided by Stena Line, Irish Ferries, DFDS and Brittany Ferries.
Freight Capacity
The increase in choice and frequency in the RoRo freight market over the past year has had a very significant impact on freight capacity to continental EU ports. Weekly RoRo freight capacity to continental EU ports has doubled in the past 12 months. There is now capacity for approximately 5,000 additional HGV’s & unaccompanied trailers on continental RoRo services per week in March 2021.
Unaccompanied RoRo freight is an essential component of continental RoRo capacity. In 2020, unaccompanied RoRo freight made up over 80% of all continental RoRo volume. The importance of unaccompanied RoRo volume is not expected to change.
Details of growth in direct services
There have been 22 separate interventions, as set out below, by Ro/Ro+ Lo/Lo freight operators in the past 12 months in response to Brexit. In addition, DFDS has announced recently that they will be putting on an additional freight ship (Ark Dania - 188 units) on the Rosslare/Dunkirk from 1 April 2021 meaning an additional vessel will service the continental corridor.
|
No. |
OPERATOR |
ROUTE |
INTERVENTION |
DATE |
|
1 |
CLDN |
Cork – Zeebrugge |
New Service |
May-2020 |
|
2 |
CLDN |
Santander – Liverpool – Dublin |
New Service |
June 2020 |
|
3 |
ICL (LOLO) |
Cork to USA |
New Service |
June 2020 |
|
4 |
BG Freightline (LOLO) |
Waterford -Liverpool Rotterdam |
New Service |
July 2020 |
|
5 |
CLDN |
Leixoes – Dublin – Liverpool |
New Service |
September 2020 |
|
6 |
CMA-CGM (LO/LO) |
Dublin / Rotterdam / Cork / Dunkirk |
New Service |
November 2020 |
|
7 |
Irish Ferries |
Dublin / Cherbourg |
Schedule Change |
January 2021 – 7 day rotation |
|
8 9 |
Stena Line Stena Line |
Rosslare / Cherbourg Rosslare / Cherbourg |
Schedule Change Additional Vessel |
January 2021 – 7 day rotation January 2021 |
|
10 |
DFDS / EURoRo |
Rosslare / Dunkirk |
New Service |
January 2020 |
|
11 |
CLDN |
Cork / Zeebrugge |
Additional Vessel |
January 2021 |
|
12 |
Eucon |
Dublin / Rotterdam |
Additional Vessel |
January 2021 |
|
13 |
Brittany Ferries |
Cork-Roscoff |
Additional Vessel |
March 2021 |
|
14 |
Brittany Ferries |
Rosslare to Cherbourg |
New Service |
January 2021 |
|
15 |
Stena Line |
Dublin – Cherbourg |
New Service |
January 2021 |
|
16 |
Irish Ferries |
Dublin - Cherbourg |
Additional Vessel (Temporary) |
January 2021 |
|
17 |
Irish Ferries |
Dublin - Cherbourg |
Vessel Change (WB Yeats) |
January 2021 |
|
18 |
Samskip |
Dublin - Amsterdam |
New Service |
January 2021 |
|
19 |
Stena Line |
Rosslare - Cherbourg |
Vessel Change (Embla) |
January 2021 |
|
20 |
CLDN |
Dublin – Rotterdam |
Vessel Change |
January 2021 |
|
21 |
Brittany Ferries |
Rosslare -St Malo |
New Service |
February 2021 |
|
22 |
Brittany Ferries |
Cork-Roscoff |
New Service |
February 2021 |
As shipping operators compete to understand new demand patterns, the market is currently in a state of dynamism, with a new equilibrium yet to be found. If demand arises, operators have proved they stand ready to respond as necessary.
I also wish to assure the Deputy that my officials and I will continue to keep in close contact with the shipping companies to monitor the situation and assist where possible.
