272. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total cost to date on the former customs post at Kilrane, Rosslare Harbour, County Wexford, to include acquisition, construction and any costs associated with this now unused former customs post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35935/26]

As part of the State’s Brexit Preparedness Plan, the OPW purchased a site in Kilrane Rosslare Harbour in 2019. Located on the main N25 road with very good vehicular access to Rosslare Port provided a Border Control Post to carry out checks on goods entering the State from the United Kingdom.

The development of these facilities enabled Rosslare Europort to be designated as a point of entry into the European Union for third country goods. There was no available space within the Port as a masterplan development was under consideration that would allow the long term expansion of port facilities in Rosslare.

The site acquisition and construction costs incurred in relation to temporary facilities provided at Rosslare/Kilrane amounted to €14.8 million

The facilities at Kilrane were used by the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Health Service Executive to carry out Customs, Food Safety and SPS (Sanitary/Phytosanitary) checks to safeguard, human health, animal health and plant health in line with EU Regulations. Additionally, a part of the site was temporarily used as a transport park for trucks waiting to board ferries for the UK and the continent under an agreement between the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Transport.

The original intended purpose of the site in Kilrane has now concluded with activity moving to the main port in November 2025, and the temporary parking area for trucks has ceased as per agreement with the Department of Transport. A small portion of the site that was deemed surplus to requirements was disposed to Wexford County Council in 2024.

The main building on the site which was formerly used as the central facility to carry out spot checks on goods has been reallocated to the Revenue Commissioners since late 2025, with the building now supporting wider training needs associated with the Revenue Commissioners’ Customs functions. The spaces formerly used to provide animal welfare facilities are being reallocated to the OPW for use by the National Monuments Services.

The OPW is actively planning for the future use of the other parts of the site. Recently, in co-operation with An Garda Siochána, Revenue and the OPW, the site provided parking for 93 trucks during the incident around access to the Port in April 2026.