Wexford town based Labour Party Local Election candidate Joe Ryan has called on the Minister for Transport to explain why the Chief Executive of Calais Port was not brought to visit Rosslare Europort when Jean-Marc Puissesseau was in Ireland recently to explore the possibilities of direct container links between the French Port and Ireland.

JEAN-MARC PUISSESSEAU visited Ireland, but Rosslare Europort was not on his agenda?

M Puissesseau is the head of Calais Port Authority that has invested €6 million and employed 10 additional people getting the port Brexit ready in the last few months. As part of this process the port wishes to examine the possibility of direct container sailings to Ireland directly.
Mr Ryan said that he understand that M Puissesseau travelled to Ireland and toured Cork and Dublin ports to see what they could offer, but was not brought to Rosslare, despite it being the closest port to France.
Mr Ryan said; “I’m concerned that the visit appears to have ignored Rosslare. Transport Minister Shane Ross called on Irish Ferries to look at their decision to sail past Rosslare in 2019 in favour of Dublin. Irish Rail operates Rosslare Europort. The state through Minister Ross is Irish Rail’s shareholder. The government has to tell us what it intends to do with Rosslare.”

Labour Local Election candidate in Wexford, JOE RYAN.

Mr Ryan added; “ I understand that Calais has received extensive EU funding to develop a second port where trailers can be placed on railway truck to be taken to Italy, Southern France and Central Europe. Much of the infrastructure that Calais is investing in can be provided at Rosslare at a lower cost than Ringaskiddy or East Wall. I have concerns post Brexit for Rosslare port and trade to and from Ireland using the land bridge through Britain. This is the direction that progressive European ports are going. I’m worried that Rosslare is not seen in that category.”
Mr Ryan has concluded that Wexford no longer features in Government circles. “What is new is that business seems now to be taking their cue from Government and focusing on Cork and Dublin when it comes to exporting.”