Mr. Aidan Coffey:

The Deputy asked about the IMDO report. There were two reports. There was an initial report in 2019 which reported that 3 million tonnes of goods were being transported out and it equated to 150,000 units. Mr. Drennan from the IRHA raised the point that it was based on tonnage and not necessarily on the number of units being carried out. When one equates it to the average weight per truck unit and allowing for the empty units that are returning and going out, the number is much larger than 150,000 units.

The second report, which was released more recently, stated that there was sufficient capacity. In that instance, the four main existing ferry operators were asked to give an answer to that and I do not believe any questions were put to the industry users, such as the IRHA and the other logistics companies, on what their views were. That report put us on the back foot. Luckily enough, we had a good solid case. It put us on the back foot just as we were seeking to be approved by the board of directors of DFDS A/S in Denmark. Thankfully, it was able to see the light and we put forward a very good presentation. I would not like to be banking the Irish economy on the basis of that report.