Hello there,
I know this has probably been discussed here before but wondered whether there was any news regarding the investment or privatisation of Rosslare Europort? I heard around 2 years ago that consultants were looking into this regarding the ports future with privatisation from Irish Rail/Iarnrod Eireann, and possible investment in facilities and infrastructure at the port. I have tried to find out via the internet as to whether there is any news but cannot seem to find any.
I am a user of the port and use the ferry routes from there to either Fishguard or Pembroke. First impressions when you arrive into the port off off the ferry is very disorganised and ramshackle. This is the case when departing too, ferry terminal does not have much in it, and facilities need investment in them.
Also, even the website for the port needs attention as is not up to date and shows routes on there that do not exist any more. Plus twitter and Facebook pages was last updated in 2010/2011; just shows a lack of care to providing information or advertising that a port exists.

Here are plans to build a byepass road of Rosslare Harbour Village,

These were appoved prior to last election,

Hard to plan anything further until Brexit discussions come to conclusion,

Here are plans to build a byepass road of Rosslare Harbour Village,

These were appoved prior to last election,

Hard to plan anything further until Brexit discussions come to conclusion,

Why would Brexit affect that?

Customs etc for services to UK.

It will be interesting as  to what the EU comes up with regarding border controls. From the creation of the Irish Free State back in 1922 - way before the EU or EEC was ever invented - an agreement existed regarding the free passage of British and Irish peoples (and included the channel Isles and Isle of Mann). It was known as the Common Travel Area.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Travel_Area

My expectations are that the UK will hope to return to a similar agreement, and Ireland will probably like to do the same. Does the EU have the lawful ability to pressurise Ireland to do anything different?

It's up to the UK to come up with a solution to the mess not the EU. The EU are giving ROI the lead to OK/block any deal if the UK doesn't come up with a workable proposal but what that proposal will be no-one yet seems to know.

On Rosslare, is there expected to be any benefit from privatisation? What investment are they looking to make? Presumably Stena will need to be involved as legal half-owners at some stage even if just to ok the unpicking of the statutory mess that lies behind the port ownership.

Apart from this; any news as to whether the port is to be privatised? Think the project/consultation regarding this and the ports future has been going on for at least 2 years if not longer

Highly unlikely to be privatised, to see what Irish Rail/ CIE think of their trophy asset, check out the official website.

Not sure if the management of the port is based in Rosslare or people in Dublin are responsible but it seems to sum up the whole cluster flip that the port is becoming.

http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/home/

A child could create a better website than what they have, if anyone in Rosslare port, Irish Rail, or any of the related companies read this, here is a little bit of info:

Ryanair sell all their tickets through their website, they seem to do ok.

This internet is going to catch on, if you cannot be bothered to operate/ update a website since 2011, how on earth do you expect to be the gateway to Europe, to take advantage of the Brexit opportunities, to develop day trip and short trip stays, to take advantage of your location with Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny all within easy reach of the port, a new motorway link from Oylegate to Dublin, a bypass of New Ross meaning Cork and Kerry have got reduced journey times to Rosslare, the M50 Congestion meaning someone wanting to target the Area South of Dublin would be quicker going through Rosslare, also with transport companies on your door step wanting to use the port, car transport companies with facilities on the doorstep, thousands of potential customers on your doorstep, rail connections within the port, a terminal building that formerly had a busy bar and restaurant, shop, railway station and atmosphere, parking in the port etc.....

Rant over.

But the local management, Wexford County Council, the local TD's all need a wake up call, its time to get the finger out and start making Rosslare great again.

Any profits made by Rosslare Port, reinvested in the port

New Website

Advertise Rail Links.

Convenience to Bus and Rail in Irl and Wales

Work with ferry companies, development of new routes.

Tidy up the port, new signage. Clean signs, coffee unit in vehicle marshalling area, (cup of coffee 3euro, costs 39 cent to make)

Use the signs Wexford C Council put on main roads for the port, advertise ferry times

Shopping trips to Cardiff and Bristol

Oakwood theme park, promoted throughout Southern Ireland

Lack of congestion- no M50

Convenient crossing times

Use ferries for Council meetings / focus on tourism

Get local firms to use local services

Shortest, fastest route from Irl Wales and Irl France

Daily departures to France

Social Media, the facebooks, Twitters, Instagrams

Webcams

Live updates

Live traffic alerts

WiFi

Switch some school transport from bus to train

Develop links with Wales and France, cross promotion

And etc etc etc

If they get started now, they might be ready in a few years!

Totally agree with this; seems like the port has been long and forgotten by its owners who probably manage it from a far.

It would be nice to see an updated terminal; something which makes a great first impression to the country not drive off the ferry and look at ramshackle and old buildings. Something that is modern which has the essentials; a restaurant where you can get hot food, WiFi.

It is true that the website needs to be updated as well. As it’s currently advertising a route to France and Spain which has not operated for at least 2 years if not longer.
Plus no updates available on twitter and Facebook which nowadays seems to be the first place that people look for communication and updates regarding problems/delays etc
It would be nice if the port updated its website and advertising the south east region of the country in association with national and regional tourist authorities.

I watched a video on YouTube the other day regarding a year in review from Irish Ferries which mentioned it had been doing a partnership to advertise the region but I do not seem to remember this

Difficult to justify investment in a Port unless it can attract new business.

Difficult to justify investment in a Port unless it can attract new business.

There is the issue, who in their right mind would go to Rosslare as new business when looking at the operation from what we can see it looks neglected.

One main reason all of profits are taken for Irish Rail.

Now that I have mentioned Irish Rail this a company which apparently still pays some its workers in Cash (actual cash i.e. Notes and Coins !) and has a workforce threatening strike action in 2018 because they got a 500 euro gift card for Dunnes not One4all and they had to give an email address to get the voucher and they fear the company might introduce electronic pay slips in the future with these email details..

Now, how do we all feel with one of the major Irish Ports in the hands of this management, it probably explains a lot ......



From the Irish Times on Jan 11th

Train drivers vote to reject new pay deal
Opposition linked to unhappiness over €500 voucher for Dunnes Stores
MARTIN WALL
Train drivers have overwhelmingly rejected a proposed new 1.15 per cent pay rise for past productivity which would also have required them to take part in the training and mentoring of new staff.

Members of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) rejected the proposals by 93 per cent while members of Siptu voted by 83 per cent against the deal.

The NBRU and Siptu warned management if it attempted to force drivers to take part in training of new staff, which up to now had been voluntary, it could lead to further industrial difficulties at the company which experienced two 24-hour strikes over pay late last year.

Irish Rail said that non-cooperation by existing staff with the training of new drivers was preventing the introduction of a planned 10-minute frequency Dart service and the expansion of other services.

Urgently
The company said management would urgently consider the outcome of the ballot results.

The rejection of the deal, which was put forward by the Labour Court last year, has been linked by unions to dissatisfaction with management style in the State-owned rail operator and unhappiness surrounding a €500 tax-free voucher provided to staff in recent weeks as part of a settlement to a broader dispute over pay.

The NBRU had raised concerns that the voucher could only be used in one retailer, Dunnes Stores, and argued that similar vouchers given to staff in the other State-owned transport companies had been for a variety of outlets.

Voucher
The union also signalled that some members were unhappy that to secure the Dunnes Stores voucher staff had to register via an Irish Rail email address. Some union members are understood to have been concerned that the move marked the first steps towards introduction by the company of electronic pay slips for staff. Two hundred Irish Rail staff are understood to be paid weekly in cash.

Irish Rail said it regretted the decision by the drivers in Siptu and the NBRU to reject the Labour Court recommendation on driver training and productivity issues.

Siptu organiser Paul Cullen said: “The result of this ballot demonstrates the depth of dissatisfaction among our members in the driving grade of Irish Rail following the failure of management to deal with their outstanding issues over the last number of years.”

Nearly forgot to mention this, was in Rosslare Harbour, early on Sunday morning and still the first sign after the Stena billboard "Welcome to Ireland" is filthy. It was like this back in September and like the Rosslare website it shows the shocking level of care taken with the port.

It is amazing in these times that they cannot get the basics right, you don't even need to update the sign just wash it.

and also while reading the Wexford People, the county council are investigating a green line from Waterford to Rosslare !!!

In the immortal words of Victor Meldrew - I don't believe it.

Instead of reopening the train line and building freight hubs, imagine sending freight by rail ! To Waterford and onwards, they are looking at cycle/ walking path which would be lovely,  but not exactly developing business unless you own a coffee shop on the route.

With the Harbour view hotel on the market if someone buys it and reopens the hotel at least the first view into Ireland will be more positive, once they leave the port.

Arrived into Rosslare the other morning onboard the Eurolines coach that travels from london victoria and Irish ferries Inishmore ferry from Pembroke. Stopped at the terminal for a quick break, toilets looked disgusting and can’t believe the reduction of facilities inside the terminal building; no cash point; only a little coffee bar/snack place; am sure there used to be a restaurant/bar there.
The signs that welcome you to Ireland and Rosslare looked rusty and unclean.

Just as a quick update, the high calibre management that are leading Rosslare Port into Brexit, possibly the biggest upheaval for the entire island of Ireland since the foundation of the state, the same management that run the awesome website

http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/home/

The same management team that are happy to not even have the signs welcoming people to Ireland even cleaned.

They have done absolutely F all in 2018 to work on the future of the port, that we can see.

I think the Wexford based TD's and Councillors also need to shoulder a lot of responsibility for this mess and should be ashamed that Rosslare was barely mentioned in the 2040 plan Ireland rubbish.

As a comparison Stena are about to invest five million Sterling in rebuilding the Fishguard Linkspan to accommodate more modern vessels (Superfast X if rumours are to believed).

The only talk in Rosslare before the last election was for a new access road at a cost of €10 mill, waste of money.

Some simple suggestions (I know I suggested much more before)

Lease out entire terminal for a small rent to Coffee shop/ bar/ restaurant, give free parking via validation system, get the place refurbished to actually attract people in.

Get a new website, any halfwit with access to a pc could come up with a better website than the current effort.

Clean up the place, clean signs, cut grass, get road on hill resurfaced, put some pride back in the place.

Even go so far as to buy the hotel at the top of the hill (available for €750,000) and lease out to a management company, bring some life back to the village

http://www.howlinauctioneers.com/commercial.htm

Totally aware that some of the wishes/suggestions are impossible to achieve, but if we can't have some positive moves forward the future will be far from bright, it is time to take advantage of the ports location and build for the future.

...the same management that run the awesome website

http://rosslareeuroport.irishrail.ie/home/

The website pretty much reflects the port it's so dated and forgotten about...