Fishguard regeneration project could be good news for Rosslare – Kelly

Cllr Anthony Kelly has welcomed news that Fishguard port in Wales is to be boosted by a major regeneration and development project. The Wexford Sinn Féin rep said that this could be great news for Rosslare Harbour if the government moves now and capitalises on this announcement. Cllr Kelly insisted that a state investment in Rosslare Harbour now could significantly enhance County Wexfords economy over the coming years.

“The announcement of a major new investment project in Fishguard port could greatly benefit the South East if the government moves quickly to capitalise,” Cllr Kelly said. “We need to see a similar announcement here about Rosslare Europort in the coming weeks to show that our local port is still very much open for business and still very much capable of competing with the busiest European ports.”

“Rosslare Europort accommodated 1.1 million passengers in 2004. In 2010 the port was seconded only by Dublin port for trade volume. This port could be the point of stimulus that the twenty thousand unemployed in our County have been crying out for. Its development would not only benefit our county, but the entire south east.”

“The planned investment of the British government in the 450-berth marina and 250 apartments in the Pembrokeshire port town shows that even in times of deep recession, governments have the power to introduce vital stimulus plans which can completely alter local communities, benefiting them and the surrounding regions. There are no dry dock facilities in Ireland capable of accommodating large ferries. Recently an operator out of Rosslare Europort commented that, with adequate investment, dry dock and container capacities could be developed there.”

“The Fianna Fail government allowed Rosslare Harbour to be run into the ground. I’m calling on the current government not to make the same mistakes as their predecessors. They must take this opportunity to invest in County Wexford and our people.”