Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the insight the Minister has given. Could he elaborate on one or two of the points he made, particularly on the investment planned for our ports infrastructure to facilitate an increase in direct shipping to our largest market, continental Europe? We have seen over recent months a huge increase in the number of new shipping lanes from Dublin, Rosslare and Cork to countries such as France, Spain and the Netherlands, but we can agree that there is much more potential in this regard. The Minister pointed to the challenges of Brexit but also to the opportunities. When Ireland joined the EEC in 1973, 55% of our exports went to Great Britain. This proportion is now down to 9%. There is still great potential, not only within the Single Market but also through it and European trade deals, but we cannot realise that potential if we cannot get goods to market. I stress that our biggest market is continental Europe.

See this speech in context