Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018
532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to provide alternative direct transport access to Europe in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18054/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra533. 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. [18055/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together.
The implications of Brexit for Ireland’s ports and airports will become clearer once the EU-UK negotiations have been completed and the future relationship between the EU and the UK has been settled. As with other Departments and agencies across the State, my Department and its agencies are preparing for the different potential outcomes, including contingency planning for a ‘no-deal’ scenario.
Irish ports and airports, and the airlines and shipping companies that use them, operate as independent commercial companies and planning and preparations in the context of Brexit are operational matters for each. Air and shipping services are market driven.
In relation to shipping, in the past shipping operators have responded to economic developments and increased or reduced capacity in response to market demands. I am confident that shipping services can be expected to adapt to changing market demands and we have seen the evidence of this over recent months with the actual and planned increase in shipping capacity on direct routes to continental ports.
However, a significant proportion of goods destined for EU markets use the UK landbridge to access these markets. The efficiency of these routes could be affected by Brexit, particularly if there are procedures and associated delays at UK ports or airports. The Irish Maritime Development Office, in conjunction with my Department, is currently finalising a study into the use of the UK landbridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK landbridge at present, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on landbridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable. This research is expected to be completed shortly.
In relation to infrastructural requirements, the Government’s recently published Project Ireland 2040 recognises the role and infrastructural plans of ports and airports in supporting continued enhancement of Ireland’s high-quality international connectivity. Key actions planned include a new runway for Dublin Airport, continued development of Cork and Shannon Airports, investment in Ireland West Airport Knock, and for smaller airports under the Regional Airports Programme. There will also be major development of Dublin, Cork, Shannon-Foynes and other ports, as well as investment in transport connectivity to ports.
My Department inputs to the wider Government oversight and planning for Brexit. It remains in close contact with other Government Departments and agencies and with our ports and airports. As part of our Brexit planning, the Department held a stakeholder meeting with maritime stakeholders last month on the implications of Brexit for the maritime sector. It is also represented at meetings of a sub-group of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum, at which Brexit is a standing agenda item. This sub-group includes representatives from the airlines, airports, regulators and my Department and meets approximately every two months.
My officials will continue to work with the maritime and aviation sectors and with other transport and tourism stakeholders in planning for the implications of Brexit.
