Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
277. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views regarding the merits of introducing incentives to encourage persons to use means of international transport other than air travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70242/25]
View answer278. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the subsidies which are available for transport by ferry on and off the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70243/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together.
Sea travel to and from Ireland is provided on a commercial basis and therefore there is no subsidisation or incentivising of these services by the State. Several incentives already exist, however, to support this environmental friendly mode of transport. In terms of available alternatives to air travel, the ‘sail-rail’ ticket offering between Ireland and the UK is a well-established and popular choice for passengers and is actively promoted by both Iarnród Éireann and the ferry companies, Irish Ferries and Stena Line. The ticket, which includes a ferry crossing and rail passage to nearly every railway station in the UK, represents very significant savings. The Department understands that Irish Ferries also offers a 30% discount on ferry pricing to holders of "Interrail/Eurail" tickets and that over one thousand such discounted fares were sold in 2024 to those travelling to both the UK and France.
The recovery of passenger numbers since COVID-19 continues with factors such as the disruption to Holyhead port impacting passenger numbers for the year 2024. However Fáilte Ireland's publication on "Planned capacity for Winter 2024/2025" publication at www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/Research/Air-Sea-Winter-Access-2024-25-(Web-publication).pdf?ext=.pdf notes that summer 2024 sea access grew by 7% as a result of the placement of additional capacity on both cross-channel and continental routes.
State-owned commercial port companies continue to develop facilities for both passengers and freight. Dublin Port Company is currently developing a new consolidated terminal to replace multiple existing facilities under its MP2 project, the second of three projects of strategic importance at the port. This will streamline operations and improve efficiency for ferry operators and passengers alike. The port of Rosslare Europort has recently completed the delivery of Terminal 7 at a cost of close to €230 million, which significantly upgrades its border and customs control facilities among others. The new infrastructure will also have a positive impact on passenger services at the port.
