Hauliers Chaos Fears At Ports

Dail panel told of severe delays – trade deal or not

- Cate McCurry

New customs checks and import controls at Irish ports will have huge implications for hauliers, it was warned yesterday.

The Oireachtas Transport Committee was told that even if a post-Brexit trade deal is reached by the deadline, the new arrangements will create hold-ups.

Around a million freight journeys are made across the Irish Sea every year and more than 150,000 cross the land bridge between the Republic of Ireland and Europe via the UK.

Eugene Drennan, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, said disruptions and obstructions will have “catastrophic consequences”.

He added: “Even without the new checks and controls our ports are heavily congested at certain peak times.