Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is agreed. I think everybody recognises the importance of the cruise ship business, the employment and its significance for the growing economy, while at the same time everybody realises that Dublin Port must primarily deal with exports and imports and the landbridge is hugely important to our economy. Having been there recently and looked at it in some detail, the actual difficulty for the port is that if Brexit is harder than any of us would like, and none wants it at all, it will mean delays to inward and outward movement of goods. They are talking about trying to restrict delays to a maxim of 30 seconds per vehicle. That might sound like nothing but it is a major problem. One could have significant congestion in the port and in the city.

I realise that one has to see the operation to believe it. I have been to Holyhead to look at how the port facilities are dealing with Brexit and to Dublin Port. Dublin Port is doing a fantastic job to protect our economy and that is absolutely crystal clear to me. I am sure it will be clear to members when we see that. Second, the additionality of extra space that Dublin Port requires, which the witnesses say they have seen, is very visible. There are acres upon acres of new facilities for vehicles to back up, if they have to and for inspection of cargoes and separately for agricultural commodities. As I said earlier, the port has an inland port up at the airport. They are all elements that are of major importance and must come first. We must find a way of meeting the needs of the witnesses as well. I think it is done by constructive engagement. I would not accept that Bord Fáilte would not or could not express its view. We live in a democracy. If it has a view, it should be expressed. There is no hidden agenda from anybody in getting at the facts. The facts are that cruise liners are a very important business and we must support it if we can find a way to do so, but there is a priority in Dublin Port. Dublin Port has plans and is saying that it has and will be providing extra facilities for cruise ships from the year 2025, I think and will -----