John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A report in recent days showed that our tax returns have declined substantially, which is no surprise, but our exports have held up and are keeping us afloat. Some 150,000 Irish lorries use the land bridge through Britain on an annual basis. About 40% of Irish exports and 13% of imports cross the trade thoroughfare ever year. The value of trade crossing the land bridge was €18 billion in exports and €3 billion in imports in 2016, according to a report on the route by the Irish Maritime Development Office. It is no surprise. There are serious concerns that some products may double in price along with long delays and chronic shortages of goods due to the choke points such as at Dover. The nature of our goods is such that they cannot afford to be caught up in such serious backlogs. Irish hauliers have suggested a dedicated daily route between Ireland and continental Europe to address some of these major concerns. I know the Minister said the ferry services are under capacity. I ask him to elaborate on that and touch on the call by the Irish hauliers.

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