The November meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District was held in the main terminal building of Rosslare Europort with a view to emphasise the strategic importance of the port and the villages of Rosslare Harbour and Kilrane to County Wexford and the South East Region. Cllrs Ger Carthy (Chairman), Lisa McDonald, Jim Codd, Jim Moore and Frank Staples were in attendance.

The main focus of the meeting was the future and planned development of Rosslare Harbour Europort and the development and improvement of the village itself – all in the shadow and threat or opportunity of the forthcoming Brexit.

The investment in the port itself over the next four years will amount to over €25 million. The new Rosslare Harbour access road is currently being designed and will go through public consultation and the planning process over the next two years with construction planned in 2021. The new access road will also involve an investment of over €15 million. The roundabout on the existing N11 at Roche Freight will be constructed next year.

 The active local community groups have exciting plans in co-operation with the Rosslare Municipal District to improve community facilities, signage and public realm. The Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane Village Development Team recently received a huge boost with the announcement of €191,385 funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

 “This was a very positive meeting of minds and a valuable opportunity to set out a clear blueprint leading to the development of a vibrant port and a thriving village which will bring a huge economic boost to the entire region,” said Cllr Carthy, who added; “There are exciting times ahead for the area.”

A number of presentations were on the agenda; Glen Carr, General Manager at Rosslare Europort, presented a ‘Strategy up-date’; ‘The Role of An Garda Síochána in Rosslare’ was the topic of Superintendent Jim Doyle;  ‘An Overview of Ambulance Operations and sites in Rosslare Harbour’ presentation by Brendan Groves, Operations Resource Manager, National Ambulance Service; an ‘Overview of Educational services in the Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane area’ was given by Eoin Ó’Donnagáin, Principal Kilrane National School and the Rosslare Harbour/Kilrane Village Development team offered an Overview of Recent Developments and Proposed Developments under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.