Plans on track for partial reopening of Holyhead Port – Taoiseach
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that plans remain on track for the partial reopening of Holyhead Port next Thursday.
Mr Harris spoke by phone with Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan earlier.
Speaking to media afterwards, Mr Harris said that while Holyhead Port will have to make adjustments to its schedule, it hopes to operate the same volume of sailings as it did prior to its closure last month.
Significant damage was caused to Holyhead Port during Storm Darragh last month, resulting in the closure of the Terminal 3 and Terminal 5 ferry berths.
In a statement last week, a spokesperson for Holyhead Port confirmed that “subject to reasonable weather conditions” it expects to reopen Terminal 5 by next Thursday, 16 January.
Mr Harris said work would get under way between the Irish and Welsh governments to examine “resilience measures”.
“The first minister for Wales and I also agreed that we would work very closely on a new task force for resilience at the port of Holyhead. We know we live in a world where climate change is real, and we do need to look at the resilience in terms of the Holyhead port, we saw the very significant challenges that this has caused for passengers and for freight,” he said.
Mr Harris thanked the Welsh government for its collaboration with Ireland over the past few weeks.
Following last month’s disruption, haulage companies diverted many trucks to other ports. It is understood that this is likely to continue in the short-term.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State James Lawless both welcomed the news that Terminal 5 was on track to reopen on 16 January.
Mr Ryan said: “I pay tribute to all, on both sides of the Irish Sea, who have worked with great diligence and commitment to restore this vital connection between our islands.”
Mr Lawless added: “I thank all involved in this process for their constructive and collaborative approach, which has ensured that essential supply chains have been maintained during this challenging time.”
Berth reopening ‘hugely important’ – Irish Road Haulage Association
The President of the Irish Road Haulage Association has said that it was “hugely important” that the first of Holyhead’s berths will resume operating.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Ger Hyland said that 4.8 million tonnes of freight comes through Holyhead every year, which equates to 60% of Irish freight.
He said it is understood that there will be “enough capacity in Holyhead with the shared part of the port that’s reopening”.
“So hopefully we’ll be able to get through as much freight as we need,” he said.
Mr Hyland said they looked forward to Holyhead reopening fully in due course but he emphasised that there must be no repeat of the chaos that ensued before Christmas, which led to the scramble to find alternative sea routes to ferry passengers and freight between Ireland and Britain.
“There has to be a taskforce pulled together and we have to have other options than Holyhead,” he said.
Mr Hyland said there was also a need for at least another shipping line operating on the Irish Sea to “guarantee freight movements”.
Article Source – Plans on track for partial reopening of Holyhead Port – Taoiseach – RTE
