Speech by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., At the christening of the vessel Celine Dublin Port

Chairperson,

Members of the Cigrang family,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished guests.

It is a pleasure to be back at Dublin Port for the christening of this magnificent new vessel, the MV Celine. I would like to congratulate CNdL on its continued commitment to providing enhanced cargo shipping into and out of Ireland. I also congratulate you on being conscious of your obligation to our maritime environment by developing a vessel that allows for dual fuel propulsion and lower carbon emissions.

The MV Celine is the largest short-sea roll-on/roll-off vessel in the world and will strengthen Ireland’s trade links with Europe by providing direct services from Dublin to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

I know that in 2015, CNdL announced an accelerated expansion of its fleet and the MV Celine is the first ship taken into service as part of that investment project. I am delighted that you chose Dublin port as the location for its naming today.

As an island nation, we depend on our ports and shipping services to a greater degree than many of our trading partners, with more than 90% of our external trade moving through the ports.

As Taoiseach, and before that as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have visited Dublin Port on many occasions. Most recently, I was here a few months ago for the opening of the port centre as a public space.

Every time I come back its trade figures are better than the time before. Last year, imports grew by almost four per cent to 21.5m gross tonnes, while exports grew strongly by almost five per cent to 14.9 million gross tonnes.

In terms of Dublin Port’s volumes, that’s 4 million gross tonnes higher than the figure in 2007, at the height of the Celtic Tiger. This growth has exceeded even the expectations of the Port’s Masterplan.

The first major phase of Dublin Port Company’s infrastructural development plan is the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment project. This project will allow the port to continue to respond to rapid changes in the port and shipping sectors, which is moving towards larger ships, like the MV Celine, and deeper waters.

I don’t think any of us are surprised that the Port has been successful in obtaining funding for the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project under the Connecting Europe Facility, as well as EIB financing.

We need continued investment in our port and shipping infrastructure. It’s important to maintain economic growth, and we must be able to deliver additional port and shipping capacity in a timely and predictable manner.

Our ambition for Dublin is matched across the country.

There are currently major development projects underway in Cork and Shannon Foynes that will deliver the capacity needed to meet future demand and sustain economic growth. These are high quality projects that will improve efficiency and service standards for port users. They will also position our ports to meet future challenges.

I once read a piece of wisdom that said that:

‘The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails’.

It’s good advice for people who sail, and it’s equally good advice for those of us in politics.

When it comes to something like Brexit we are preparing to adjust our sails. And as political realists, we recognise the importance of our ports sector.

Ireland must be served by competitive and sustainable ports which serve both the economy and society at large.

The Government is preparing for Brexit, including contingency planning for the possibility, however remote of a disorderly Brexit. One of our Brexit priorities is to minimise the impact on trade and the economy, maintaining our close trade between the UK and EU/Ireland, and to minimise the regulatory burden for goods transiting the UK.

The challenges posed by Brexit are the focus for all our commercial ports. They are actively preparing by adjusting their infrastructural plans, examining possible new trade routes, and engaging with all stakeholders to identify potential issues and avoid undue delays.

Alternative trade routes and extra capacity to mainland Europe is essential. I am delighted to see the shipping sector is planning for additional capacity on direct routes to Europe.

We will be ready for whatever weather comes.

To conclude, I would like to congratulate Christian Cigrang, Chairman of CNdL, on the construction and launch of this magnificent vessel. And I wish the company continued commercial success in the coming years.

Thanks also to Lucy McCaffrey, Chairperson of Dublin Port, for her kind invitation to join you all for this special occasion and to Geraldine O’Reilly, the Godmother of the MV Celine.

Finally to the Captain and crew of the MV Celine, ‘fair winds and following seas’.

Thank You.