Calls for prioritisation of Europort
THE position regarding the development of Rosslare Europort was raised in the Dáil by Independent Deputy Mick Wallace and Fianna Fáil Deputy James Browne. Deputy Wallace told Transport Minister Shane Ross that Rosslare Port is not being prioritised. ‘It is not receiving State backing such as that received by Dublin Port, although I am not suggesting that Dublin Port should not get this,’ he said.
‘It would give such a boost to Wexford which is one of the most deprived counties with more mental health challenges than most areas and one of the highest rates of suicide which is directly linked to the county being seriously deprived.
‘We laugh at the Brits for not knowing whether they are going left, right or centre with Brexit but how well prepared for Brexit are we ourselves? Does it not make sense that the Government would address ownership of Rosslare Europort and get ready for Brexit?’
Deputy Browne said the port makes €2.5 million profit annually. It is not only self-sufficient but it is very profitable. ‘However, it looks like a ghost town because it is owned by Iarnród Éireann which sucks the profit out of it and puts it in to subsidise other parts of its railway network which it is not prepared to deal with in a proper manner,’ he said. ‘It is the second busiest port in the country for passenger and roll on-roll off traffic. That €2.5 million per annum should be put back into that port. It would leverage approximately €15 million on the international market, which would make that port one of the top ports in Europe, as it should be because of its location.’
In reply, Minister Ross said 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 as a division of Iarnród Éireann. ‘The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was considered in a strategic review, commissioned by my Department, and carried out by Indecon economic consultants,’ he said. ‘The 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, he said. 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.
‘The Deputies will be aware of the significance of Brexit and the importance that Rosslare may assume in the process of preparing for it,’ he added.