McDonald criticises Minister’s ‘waffly’ response on Rosslare
A letter from the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy on the future of Rosslare Europort in the post-Brexit era was described as ‘somewhat waffly’ by Fianna Fail councillor Lisa McDonald at a Wexford Borough meeting.
Deputy Murphy’s private secretary Niamh Redmond replied to correspondence from Wexford Municipal Borough outlining councillors’ concern about the need to develop Rosslare and position it as an important gateway after the UK leaves the EU. Ms. Redmond said the National Planning Framework identifies Rosslare Eurport as ‘an area of strategic importance with its geographic proximity to EU trading partners and recognises that it will play an important role in Ireland’s response to Brexit.’
‘National Strategic Outcome 6, as set out in the NDP (National Development
Plan), commits €4.8 billion through
2018-2027 to airports and ports and notes that a strategic review is currently underway in relation to Rosslare Europort’, she said.
‘Further, there is ongoing development of the M11 in order to improve connectivity to Rosslare in the southeast. Again, the strategic location of Rosslare Eurport is noted in the NDP given its linkages with crucial EU markets’.
‘Any further decisions with regard to investment in Rosslare Eurport under Projects Ireland 2040 are a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’, she added.
‘It wouldn’t instil confidence that anything is going to be done. It’s somewhat waffly, Cllr. McDonald reacted to the letter.
‘It’s not good enough to say that it’s on our agenda. Something has to be done’.
‘That is just kicking the can down the road’, commented Sinn Fein councillor Mick Roche. Cllr. McDonald proposed that the local authority ask for a meeting with the Minister and this was agreed.