Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
250. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm that the four Irish ports which applied for European Union funding to invest in infrastructure for offshore wind all got rejected; the reasons for the refusals; if he intends to intervene and provide the required funding from Exchequer resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40802/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Funding call is a competitive process and vastly oversubscribed. Under the 2021 CEF call, across Europe, 447 project proposals were submitted requesting almost €14.5 billion, whereas the call made circa €5 billion available for projects on the TEN-T network.
There were ten applications from Ireland, plus two multi-country applications that included Irish partners. Each Irish project is competing against other projects throughout Europe across the various transport modes - maritime, rail, road and air.
Four Irish projects plus both of the multi-country projects were selected for funding. Disappointingly, there were six unsuccessful Irish applicants, four of them related to ORE port projects.
Bearing in mind the confidential nature of the process, individual applications cannot be commented on. The applicants themselves have received the evaluations from the EU Commission.
I along with my officials have already met with the TEN-T Corridor Co-ordinator on the results of the call, both in relation to the successful and unsuccessful projects. On the port related projects, I clearly indicated our deep disappointment that they were not selected for funding. Departmental officials have also met with the EU Commission on the matter.
The Secretary General of my Department has written directly to the Director General of DG MOVE and I also intend writing to the Commissioner for Transport at the European Commission.
In addition, I understand that the unsuccessful applicants are seeking further direct feedback regarding the evaluations from the Commission. It is their intention to apply again for funding when the next call opens on 13th September 2022. The Department will assist, as appropriate, eligible applicants with the application process.
Our ports face challenges posed by recent changes in trade patterns of trade, including as a direct consequence of Brexit, but they also present great opportunities as facilitators in the development of one of best offshore renewable energy resources in the world. CEF support for maritime projects can be a key enabler in maintaining and strengthening our connection to Europe and in securing green energy for the future.
In line with the Policy Statement which I published in December 2021 on the Facilitation of Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) by Ports, the Department has set up a Ports Co-ordination Group that meets quarterly to ensure alignment of policy and to monitor progress for the delivery of ORE port facilities. In that context, a number of ports are continuing to progress their plans for the provision of such facilities. The Department continues to encourage engagement between the ports and developers so that they are best placed to exploit the opportunities that will arise from the development of ORE.
Ultimately, only investments that are commercially viable in the long-term will progress, underpinned by a robust business case and clear identification of the revenues that will be generated. This is in line with National Ports Policy, under which ports receive no exchequer funding and must fund their developments through their own revenues, borrowings, EU grant funding or private sector involvement.
