Murphy addresses the Iirsh Ports Association Annual Conference

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy today highlighted the key role that ports can play in leading an export-led recovery for the economy on the island of Ireland.

He was addressing the Annual Conference of the Irish Ports Association in Limerick.

The Minister said: “As an island with an open, trading economy, we are inevitably dependent on our sea ports as economic gateways to trade. With a range of recently completed investments in port infrastructure, the North’s ports are well placed to grow as the economy strengthens.”

The Minister also drew attention to the cooperation between Governments North and South on the development of the strategic road network serving the ports:

“I pay tribute to the commitment of £400m investment by the Government in the South in major road projects in the North, in particular, on the A5 Western Corridor linking Derry and the A8 between Belfast and Larne. This will complete the dualling of the Eastern Seaboard corridor on the island.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Minister was speaking at the opening of the Annual Conference of the Irish Ports Association (IPA), held in Limerick today. The Conference was formally opened by Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport.
2. The IPA is a trade association and representative body for the commercial ports in the South with its membership mostly drawn from the 10 larger commercial state owned company ports. The Association represents members’ interests to the Irish Government and a range of other organisations which have influence on the Irish ports sector.