Ross ‘under no illusion’ on Rosslare port
COUNCILLORS AT the recent district council meeting voiced their hope that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross’s recent visit to Rosslare Europort was not simply a ‘photo opportunity’, pointing out that serious movement was needed on the much maligned port.
Cllr Mick Roche wondered if it was possible to get a report on the meeting. Cllr Tony Walsh believed that a pattern was emerging whereby Wexford was simply being ignored. The port and connecting rail service were run-down, he said, and he felt that an essential discussion was needed.
Cllr Davy Hynes agreed, saying the removal of town councils had contributed to the ‘neglect’ Wexford was now feeling.
‘I hope his visit wasn’t just a photo opportunity and that something will happen. But I believe nothing will change as long as Irish Rail is there.’
Director of Services Tony Larkin said that the Minister had met with County Council CEO Tom Enright and discussed the various issues. Mr Enright, he said, agreed to send research relating to the port on to the Minister, along with proposals from the council as to how best to solve the problem.
Cllr George Lawlor agreed with Cllr Walsh in relation to the county being forgotten. He pointed out that there was serious issue in the town in relation to secondary school places but said the county seemed to have no political clout to deliver what was really needed - a new secondary school.
It was, he believed, stunting the town and county’s growth.
He also referred to Equifax, a company which delivered financial services and had been in the town for decades. They had, he said, announced 100 new jobs in Dublin, before pointing out that the Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services was a Wexford man.
His remark that his own party leader, Brendan Howlin, had signed off on a lot of projects for Wexford prompted argument from alongside him when Cllr Frank Staples pointed out that Labour had been partnership with his own party at that time, to which Cllr Lawlor replied: ‘Who had the chequebook?’
Cllr Staples added that, on leaving, Minister Ross, was under no illusion as to what was thought of the port. He added that the business community in Rosslare had been particularly frank with the Minister about the issue.