Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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535. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which alternative shipping or air routes remain available for food exports to all markets in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42241/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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While no great impact on direct shipping routes is expected from Brexit, both I and my colleagues in Government remain concerned about the impacts of a no-deal Brexit for Irish trade using the landbridge for accessing EU markets.

The landbridge is the fastest route to continental Europe and as such is relied upon for the transport of time-sensitive products, such as those in the agri-food and perishable goods sector. Any delays or barriers will be detrimental for these sectors in particular. Air-freight is, generally speaking, not considered to be a financially-viable alternative for the transport of food products.

Recent reports from the UK indicate the potential for significant reductions in traffic volumes through key ports such as Dover and Holyhead as a result of the additional requirements for customs and other regulatory documentation and procedures. Significant new infrastructure, and associated staffing, is in place in Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort to implement the additional customs, agriculture and environmental health controls that will be required when the UK leaves the EU. While these are designed to minimise the level of disruption that may arise from the additional checks, some disruption can be expected. Irish officials also continue to engage with their French counterparts to ensure that Irish haulers arriving in French ports, particularly Calais, via the landbridge can exit the port as efficiently as possible.

The alternative to the landbridge is the direct shipping connections between Ireland and continental ports.

The assessment of my Department and the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), based on extensive consultations with the shipping sector, is that sufficient capacity should be available on direct routes to continental ports following a ‘no-deal’ Brexit and should demand for further capacity arise, because of disruption to the GB landbridge, the shipping sector can and will respond quickly to meet such demands.

In the context of Brexit, there has already been an additional increase in capacity over the past 18 months on direct routes with more planned for 2020.