To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the effect of the UK’s departure from the EU on ferry crossings from Ireland to Welsh ports since 1 January.

The Department for Transport has had a number of discussions with ferry, port and haulage operators, in relation to Irish Sea traffic, since 1 January. It is too early to identify any longer-term trends or say what the longer-term impacts will be. The Government is, however, confident that Welsh ports, and Holyhead in particular, will continue to provide critical routes to and from the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe, irrespective of direct links for haulage between Ireland and France. The land bridge route has significant advantages for hauliers over maritime routes and the Government is confident that Welsh ports will continue to thrive, as we build on the opportunities provided by being an independent trading nation.