Costs at Rosslare port ‘were not an issue’ – Irish Rail

THE operators of Rosslare Europort claims that Irish Ferries never discussed with them the cost of using the port before it decided to close its ferry service between Wexford and France.

Irish Ferries announced last month that it was ‘unlikely’ to continue to operate a service between Rosslare and Cherbourg in France in 2019.

Iarnród Éireann, which operates Rosslare Europort, denied that the higher rates being charged by Rosslare port in comparison to Dublin Port had been a factor in the ferry company’s decision to halt its service.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, the rail company’s spokeswoman Jane Cregan, said: ‘At no time in negotiations before this announcement was made was there any suggestion fees were an issue.

‘There may be other commercial reasons but we are very much dedicated to Rosslare port, particularly now in the context of Brexit.

‘It is the fastest way to get to mainland Europe. We are actively seeking new services to come in to Rosslare and engaging with the local community there to find opportunities because we are very much committed to Rosslare Europort.’

Ms Cregan said there were negotiations before Irish Ferries pulled out of Rosslare, and Irish Rail had wanted to maintain the service.

‘We did speak with Irish Ferries before the announcement was made but ultimately it was their decision,’ she added.

Independent local councillor in Wexford Ger Carthy claimed that there was ‘a lot of smoke and mirrors’ around the decision by Irish Ferries to halt its service from Rosslare.

He called the decision ‘disappointing’ and ‘ill-advised’.

He said that three years ago, when he was Mayor of Wexford, he had met with the managing director of Irish Ferries who had told him that Rosslare port’s fees were high in comparison with Dublin Port.

An Irish Ferries spokesman said the majority of customers have a preference for the more central location and easy access of Dublin.