Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has missed the point. The much lauded €40 million that will be spent by the OPW constructing another customs post - in addition to the €11 million that was spent outside the port - will only serve to take up room in an already congested facility. We can ill afford that in a port that has increased traffic throughput by 400% post Brexit. Does the Minister understand that the port needs urgent investment in order to ensure the countries imports and exports move freely, directly to mainland Europe? The capacity increase was nothing but discouraged by the Government. The shipping company, DFDS, was told it was not required, nor were those who facilitate it. The Irish Maritime Development Office report stated we would move as required. There are no ships and capacity has not increased to where it should be. Without the latter, our tourism will not return and commercial traffic will suffer greatly. What will it take for the Minister to recognise this?

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