Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We saw the photographs yesterday from Kent when queues of trucks built up after the French started a trial of post-Brexit checks. Lorries seeking to cross the English Channel were forced to stop in long lines as they tried to approach the Eurotunnel entrance. There have been warnings of queues of up to 7,000 lorries post Brexit. The French were rehearsing post-Brexit immigration procedures. The UK is used as a land bridge and it is now clear that, deal or no deal, there will be queues and delays in places such as the Eurotunnel approach.

As we look at the use of alternative routes and ports, we must ensure there is adequate supply chain capacity post Brexit. My area of Galway is a centre for medical devices and IT. We need to know if the supply chains of raw materials inwards and finished goods outwards are in place. We must ensure there is sufficient capacity in our transport network. I ask for a debate with the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the Minister for Foreign Affairs on our ports, airports and the land bridge in the UK post Brexit. This is a crucial issue as we approach the final deadline. As I said, deal or no deal, I believe this will continue to be an issue. Some of those 7,000 lorries will be Irish, carrying Irish goods or importing raw materials for use in manufacturing in this country. Irish jobs are at stake. I realise the Government, the Departments and the various Ministers have done a great deal of work on this area, but I ask for a debate on this important subject in the coming weeks.