Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would be interested in whatever plans the Government has in place in that regard.

The Minister of State, the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach have done a great deal in getting Ireland ready for Brexit. I should not leave out our officials both nationally and internationally who have been incredible in the work they have done. I am blown away by what I see as I travel throughout Europe.

An issue that came up the other day is that we have now opened the sea bridge and there are ferries going directly to France. I would hope to see ferries going directly to Germany, the Hook of Holland or somewhere like that. I heard a chap on the radio the other day who produces flowers for export to the Netherlands, of all places. The sea bridge is too long for his produce but the landbridge will not be shorter because we hear there will be 9 km tailbacks at the various ports. We will not be able to offer such small producers anything. They do not have enough produce to fill a truck. I am concerned for them. What supports will be put in place for them? It is not all about beef, lamb and chicken. There are people producing other perishable goods who will need significant supports to remain in business. As the guy who grows flowers was saying, he produces so many flowers that his operation is too big for this market on its own, there will be no market in the UK and by the time the produce gets to mainland Europe, it will be of very little value because it will have gone over its timeline. While the sea bridge will support big producers, how will we deal with the small guys?