Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the UK’s departure from the EU on ferry crossings from Ireland to Welsh ports since 1 January.

Government continues to monitor traffic on ferry routes into and out of the UK, including Wales – Ireland routes. There have been changes to traffic, including some initial reductions on these routes compared to prior year figures. However, freight movements and businesses involved in international trade are early in the period of adjustment to a new customs and border regime, which may have impacted on volumes in the short term, but it is too early to identify any longer term trends.

Welsh ports, and Holyhead in particular, will continue to be critical routes to and from the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe, irrespective of direct links for haulage between Ireland and France. The land bridge route has significant advantages for hauliers over maritime routes and the Government is confident that Welsh ports will continue to thrive as we build on the opportunities provided by being an independent trading nation.