Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome that, but it needs to be in place for tomorrow, which is when the next Cherbourg boat arrives.

The Minister will recall that our response to Brexit was to put customs officials and agents on board ferry vessels so that, by the time truck drivers arrived here, all the paperwork had been done. Surely we need to put cross-departmental teams on board the ferries. The 18-hour crossing affords us the opportunity to undertake registrations, Covid tests and assess accommodation needs so that, when people arrive after those 18 or 20 hours, the work is done and does not need to be commenced here. Teams could be deployed at our departure ports and on board those ferries.

The co-ordination is welcome and I hope it can be in place tomorrow. Many disparate groups are desperately trying to do good but without co-ordination, so it needs to be in place immediately. As well as that, much of the work could be done on board the ferries. Will this matter be addressed by the Government?

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