Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. McArdle to the meeting. He is a neighbour of mine from just across the Cavan border in south Monaghan. I know his family very well. On that basis, I am happy to welcome him, although there are very serious reasons he is with us today. I will address a number of those reasons with him very briefly.

From other meetings I have attended, we have been led to believe that the Revenue documentation situation was going to improve and would soon be all right. I say that because Mr. McArdle's evidence would not support that.

I refer to the lack of space issue, leaving cargo, parking material and bringing material into the port. Space is being taken up by agencies such as Revenue and the HSE. Can Mr. McArdle suggest a solution to this? Do they have too much space? Is there more space available?

Is there is any basis for me being told in another forum that the Revenue Commissioners were getting on top of things and that the delays would even out shortly? Similarly, are the delays with the HSE likely to be sorted out? Mr. McArdle mentioned various bureaucracies involved and documentation one must have. Does it seem logical to him that some documents required could be done without while still fulfilling minimum terms? If he has some practical suggestions, then they should go into the committee report. Can Mr. McArdle make a submission suggesting a reduction of files, while recognising that unfortunately we have Brexit?

I thank the Chair for the opportunity to speak. I wanted to welcome our guest as a very good neighbour but I also wanted to stress the seriousness of this matter. Our guests are aware of the fact that there are a number of haulage companies in Cavan. I speak to them regularly and this is a real concern for them also.