Ministers Chambers and Moran welcomes official opening of a new ultra-modern Customs and Border Control Complex at Europort, Co. Wexford

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER), Jack Chambers TD together with Mr. Kevin “Boxer” Moran TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), today welcomed the official opening of a new Customs and Border Control Complex at Rosslare Europort in Rosslare, Co. Wexford.

The construction of the new complex referred to as Terminal 7, at Rosslare Europort is one of the biggest capital infrastructure projects of its kind delivered in Ireland. The final cost of the project, which has been delivered on time and to budget, will be in the order of €230million. The new facility will handle post-Brexit checks on goods coming into the country from outside the EU.

The project consists of the construction of 34 new buildings, including the replacement of temporary infrastructure and processing facilities which have been in place since new regulations came into effect with Brexit at the beginning of 2021. The new complex will enhance driver welfare and streamline access and exits points for passenger and freight ferries.

The complex includes permanent facilities to check food products and compliance with sanitary legislation and are designed to provide protection for the EU single market. It also accommodates the new truck scanner which allows the Office of the Revenue Commissioners to carry out checks on vehicles as they enter the country, a vital resource in Revenue’s strategy to target fraud.

Speaking at the official opening today, Minister Chambers said “Critically, this essential new infrastructure guarantees Ireland stable and continued access through Rosslare to the EU single market and its population of 450 million people. I want to pay tribute to the work of OPW and the contractor for the project, John Paul Construction, in undertaking such a complex project and the success in delivering this on time and on budget”.

The upgrading of Rosslare Europort, one of Ireland’s busiest and largest ports, ensures that the port continues to play a critical economic role within the region bringing about benefits for those that use and live within the vicinity.

Minister of State Moran said “I am delighted that my Office, the OPW, delivered this very intricate project on time and on budget on behalf of Ireland and the EU. It is a tribute to the collaborative working relationship my Office nurtures across all Departments, Agencies and local authorities. This Terminal complex will well serve the Irish economy and the development of the South East region as a whole”.

This project was developed on behalf of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive and the Department of Justice/An Garda Síochána, together with facilities provided for Iarnród Eireann.

ENDS

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

Video content and images of the Project are available from pressoffice@opw.ie

Images of the launch will be circulated later.

Follow us on Twitter @opwireland

Follow us on Facebook @opwireland

Follow us on Instagram @opwireland

Follow us on LinkedIn @Office of Public Works

EDITORS NOTES

The Rosslare Europort Terminal 7 project is a critical infrastructural project to develop the necessary permanent infrastructure at Rosslare Europort to comply with customs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and official food controls, as a consequence of Brexit. Funding will be primarily provided by the Brexit /Adjustment Reserve (BAR). This project has a high level of urgency to ensure compliance with EU border control legislation. Facilities include AGS Immigration Facilities, Customs Control Facilities, Border Control Facilities for DAFM and the HSE, Freight and Car Check-in areas and Driver welfare facilities. It comprises of:

· Inspection areas for live animals and food checks,

· Freight and passenger check-in areas and facilities,

· A sophisticated Revenue Scanner Building and

· All the admin facilities now located on one campus within the Port