Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing financial support for ferry routes operating from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK in recognition of the cost differentials of those routes compared to other transport options.

The Government continues to monitor the maritime freight industry to ensure that routes are available for the transport of goods both around and outside of the UK, including between Northern Ireland and other parts of the country. As an open market the Government does not wish to disrupt competition, however if necessary, we have intervened to protect the transport of critical goods in exceptional circumstances. At present there are no specific plans to do so on routes between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.