Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2019
526. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has raised the issue of the ownership of Rosslare Europort with his UK counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2425/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra527. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the operational model of Rosslare Europort by a non-port company is in the State’s best interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2585/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issue of the ownership of Rosslare Europort has been raised with his UK counterpart in view of the threats of Brexit and the need to develop ports here to ensure businesses can access markets. [2590/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra532. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is appropriate that Rosslare Europort has a different ownership structure to other ports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2338/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra553. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has addressed the issue of the ownership of Rosslare Europort with his UK counterpart in view of the need to develop ports here. [2594/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra557. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the continued control and operation of Rosslare port by Iarnród Éireann is an appropriate model in view of the need to develop ports here. [2598/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 526 to 528, inclusive, 532, 553 and 557 together.
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 commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann. Technically, the port forms part of the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company, which is a 19th-century joint-venture company, consisting today of Iarnród Éireann on the Irish side and Stena line on the Welsh (Fishguard) side.
The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was considered in a strategic review, commissioned by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants. Their report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult, given the port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.
Following that assessment, the Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by the Department.
The Minister is satisfied that Rosslare Europort as a division of Iarnród Éireann is effectively managing operations at the port and looking at the potential of the Port to develop further and take advantage of any new opportunities. The port is targeting growth and new business opportunities, and recently received the approval of the Iarnród Éireann Board for a strategic plan to grow the port’s business. This includes investment plans for up to €25 million in customer facilities and port infrastructure, port assets, and new technology. The Port is engaging with a number of potential new shipping customers to supplement existing operators and offer greater choice to freight and passenger business. Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort briefed my Department late last year on the company's plans for strategic development of the Port over the coming years.
I have met individually with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, to discuss Brexit matters on three occasions since mid-2017. I most recently met the Secretary of State, at his request, in Dublin on 8 November last. Our discussion fully respected the mandate of the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier. The Secretary of State outlined key areas of concern for the UK in relation to transport.
While I did not specifically raise the issue of ownership of Rosslare Europort with the Secretary of State, I set out the importance of continued transport connectivity between Ireland and the UK, including in relation to ports, aviation, road transport, and cross-border rail services. I stressed the importance of finalising the Withdrawal Agreement, highlighted the importance of the UK landbridge for Ireland as a route to European markets, and the need for Irish trade to move efficiently through ports.
I stressed that as regards the future EU-UK relationship, Ireland wants to see the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, across a range of areas including transport. At the same time, I re-iterated the importance of preserving the integrity of the EU’s Single Market and that the EU’s regulatory autonomy is respected.
I recognise that Brexit will have implications for a number of key ports and airports, and Rosslare continues to work closely with my Department and a range of other relevant Government Departments and Offices in preparing for the additional border controls that will arise from Brexit. In this context, my Department has met Rosslare Port management on a number of occasions over the past year, most recently last week, about the infrastructure requirements of the Port in connection with Brexit. My Department has also been meeting ferry and shipping companies regarding their plans for dealing with the challenges of Brexit.
