Joint Committee on European Union Affairs to discuss the impact of Brexit on Ireland’s trade and connectivity

The meeting will take place between 09:30-12:30 in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.

The following representatives are due to appear:

Mr Barry O’Connell, CEO - Dublin Port Company

Mr Michael Sheary, Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer - Dublin Port Company

Mr Glenn Carr, Director, Commercial Business Units - Iarnród Éireann

Mr Barry Kenny, Head of Media & PR - Iarnród Éireann

Mr. Eugene Drennan, President - Irish Road Haulage Association

Mr John Nolan, Honorary Secretary - Irish Road Haulage Association

David McArdle, Honorary Treasurer - Irish Road Haulage Association

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Joe McHugh said: “This is a timely opportunity to hear from organisations representing traders and hauliers given the recent breakthrough on the Northern Ireland Protocol.”

“Brexit, Covid-19, issues with supply chains, energy costs and the ongoing war in Ukraine have impacted trade and connectivity in the past few years.”

“A significant volume of goods being transported between Ireland and the EU single market has now been rerouted from the UK landbridge to direct ferry crossings.

“Rosslare Europort has increased its direct sailings to Europe from 3 weekly to 16 weekly. In 2021, at Dublin Port the GB share of unitised trade fell from 64% pre-Brexit to 52% post-Brexit, while the EU share of unitised trade increased from 36% to 48%.

“Political and business leaders have given a positive but cautious welcome to the Windsor Framework and we look forward to discussing the how businesses and hauliers expect to adapt to the new arrangements and what impact Brexit has had on trade for the past 3 years.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.