The future of Rosslare Europort occupied the minds of members at a special meeting of Wexford County Council today at the behest of An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Keith Doyle, and for the second time in less than three months the General Manager of the Port, Glenn Carr, submitted himself to members scrutiny.

CLLR GER CARTHY

The meeting was called amidst local controversy after Irish Ferries new  €147 million ship, the WB Yeats, docked in Rosslare Harbour and left again, while the company announced its summer service to France would operate from Dublin and many questions arose over the future of Rosslare Europort.
Mr Carr felt it was important to bring the WB Yeats into port which showed that Rosslare could handle a ship of this size and the trials were successfully completed. “The vessel can be accommodated without restriction,” he added.
He did not see port fees as a factor as the four hours extra fuel would outdo the fees.
Mr Carr outlined the availability of slots at Rosslare, trade union and staff negotiation will be difficult, and negotiations with the shipping lines is commercially sensitive.
He said the plan is to generate additional traffic to the UK and France, and possibly Spain, and discussions had begun, but indicated that there “isn’t a rush to get the ships in.”
Mr Carr emphasised that the focus is on driving more business for the port and he announced recruitment of a marketing person based at Rosslare and the appointment of a head of operations, the latter would oversee the development of the port and the operations of the port.

CLLR LISA McDONALD

Cllr Lisa McDonald called for clarification on the position at Rosslare. She was critical of Irish Rail and the lack of a port authority, called for a Tier 2 port to be designated a Tier 1 port and the return of agricultural and customs checks.
She described the situation at the port as “rudderless” and was critical of the past 25 years and the orderly withdrawal of Irish Rail investment.
Cllr Ger Carthy supported most of Cllr McDonald’s argument and called for a Tier 1 port and the need to speak with Irish Ferries regards their future intentions. And he wanted to know; where does Irish Rail stand?
“Rosslare Harbour is being decimated and the local economy will have 500 cars less each day in the summer. The locals have been loyal to Irish Ferries and what is happening is a disgrace,” he concluded.
Cllr Davy Hynes accused Irish Ferries of getting rid of its Irish workers and taking on cheap labour. “We can all draw our own conclusions,” he suggested.
Cllr George Lawlor referred to a previous incident when Celtic Link offered a service. “Stena bought them out because they were making money,” he hinted.
Cllr Willie Kavanagh said Irish Ferries made “a commercial decision to leave and we can’t do anything about it.”

Cllr Johnny Mythen said that “investment is the key” and “the neglect of the port is disgraceful” before calling for the publication of the port plan.
There were also contributions from Cllrs Michael Whelan, Martin Murphy, Michael Sheehan, Fionntan O Suilleabhain, Tony Dempsey, Paddy Kavanagh, Larry O’Brien, Pip Breen, Mary Farrell, Barbara-Anne Murphy and Tony Walsh.

CLLR GEORGE LAWLOR

Summing up at the end Glenn Carr said he didn’t take any offence from any of the strong statements made from the floor and said it was heartening to see the passion for Rosslare Europort and Co. Wexford.
He outlined efforts that could be made to promote the port and that he was committed to the plan which will take a number of years to implement, but it has started.
Mr Carr concluded that he was “optimistic” for the future.
Cllr Keith Doyle thanked Mr Carr for his attendance and said there was great passion in the contributions and it wasn’t all about Irish Ferries, it was about the future of the port as well.
Cllr Doyle concluded that Rosslare Europort should be a national issue for the benefit of Wexford, for the region and for the country.