P&O route loss will hit Europort, says Labour
The decision by shipping giant P&O to close its Rosslare-Cherbourg route has seriously damaged efforts to develop Ireland’s Europort, it was claimed tonight.
The Labour Party’s Brendan Howlin said the announcement would have serious ramifications for Irish shipping and haulage industries.
“Not only will Irish P&O employees lose their jobs, but this will impact on Iarnrod Éireann staff and all others who work in a variety of areas at the Europort,” he said.
“Rosslare Europort is a vital transport hub for the south of the country. It provides a vital link to mainland Europe for freight, passengers, and tourists travelling between Ireland and France.”
Mr Howlin said the news was the second major jobs blow for Wexford in a matter of days.
“Spring and Precision Engineering Limited announced the suspension of operations late last week and now P&O have dealt a severe blow to the entire South East of the country with the news that the Rosslare-Cherbourg route is to end,” he said.
“The closure of this route will potentially have a disastrous economic impact throughout the region.
“My colleague Cllr Davy Hynes, Mayor of Wexford, will be convening an early meeting of the Rosslare Harbour Development Committee to consider the position and to learn first hand from Iarnrod Éireann what implications this announcement will have.”
The shipping group said it was planning to close its Rosslare-Cherbourg route as part of a restructuring of its ferries business.
The company is to discontinue four of its 13 ferry routes with the worst affected services being between England and France.
Some 1,200 jobs will be lost, and the number of ships P&O operates is to be reduced from 31 to 23.
The company operates three other Irish Sea routes, from Dublin to Liverpool and from Larne to Cairnryan and Troon.
A spokesperson for P&O Irish Sea Ferries said very few Irish jobs will be lost.
It is understood some Iarnrod Eireann jobs may be lost at the port as 90 of the company’s dock workers are involved in the loading and unloading of the ship.
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