Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to use questions and answers, if I may, in the short few minutes I have. I raised a particular issue yesterday in regard to the practical outworking of these arrangements. Like the previous speaker, I have a complete understanding of the complexities involved. I understand that the Minister can say we have had a year in transition, but we did not because, like everything, until it actually happens and we see specifically what is needed, there will be things we have not prepared for.

I do not take great comfort in the Minister of State's announcement that 70% of paperwork is correct. That means 30% of a diminished throughput in our ports right now is subject to being halted and having problems. That will be monumental when the volumes increase.

In regard to the particular point I raised yesterday, I know the Minister indicated he has had a chance to look at that. Can we have flexibility within our ports system so that, where there are identifiable problems that can be resolved, mechanisms are devolved locally to resolve those as far as is practicable? That is my first question.

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