Port of Waterford seeks judicial review of Cork port project

The Port of Waterford is seeking a judicial review of a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant the Port of Cork permission for a €100 million redevelopment of Ringaskiddy.

The Port of Waterford declined to comment on the issue when contacted but the Port of Cork confirmed it had been notified of the action.

"We are extremely disappointed that Waterford Port have requested a judicial review of the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to the Port of Cork for the development of port infrastructure in Ringaskiddy," the Port of Cork said in a statement.

“However, we are hopeful that there will be an early determination on the issue and we will be allowed to proceed with this vital port infrastructure which will be of significant benefit to the Irish economy.”

Further expansion

An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission to the Port of Cork at the end of May for the work at Ringaskiddy which is aimed at allowing the further expansion of the port’s activities.

Port of Cork chief executive Brendan Keating welcomed the decision at the time, saying it was vital for the future growth and development of the port as an international gateway to trade.

The expansion of Ringaskiddy will allow the port transfer its container terminal from Tivoli down the harbour to Ringaskiddy where it can accommodate large container vessels, he said.

The trend towards larger container vessels was affecting Cork’s ability to grow container traffic as the larger vessels could not turn at Tivoli because the channel was too narrow.

He said it was vital for the port to be able to accommodate larger vessels if it is to meet both the needs of its customers and the economic developmental needs of the region.

First phase

The development is the first phase of the implementation of the Port of Cork’s 2010 Strategic Development Plan Review which highlighted Cork as a Tier 1 port of national significance.

Since the An Bord Pleanála decision in May, the EU has confirmed it is to provide €13 million towards the €100 million redevelopment.

The funding, which will be provided under the Ten T - Connecting Europe programme, will help the development of a new deepwater container facility at Ringaskiddy.

The Port of Cork is one of 276 infrastructure projects to qualify for funding from the record €13.1 billion earmarked for transport projects across the European Union.