James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comments. I know he has worked hard on this issue. There is now strong agreement with fellow EU countries on ensuring our goods, once they arrive on the Continent, can continue onwards quickly. The concern is what will happen in the UK, which is, to a large degree, out of the State's hands. In particular, any delays involving perishable goods would have serious consequences. Perishable items such as meat or fish that need to be transported to the Paris markets, for example, are no good if there is a delay getting them there. One truck driver told me that nobody buys turkeys on St. Stephen's Day so if perishable products do not get to market on time, they are no good.

I stress the potential of Rosslare Europort, which is ideally located. It is the quickest sea route from Ireland to the Continent and it must be priority given the security it offers for getting our goods to the Continent on time.

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