Ireland could face ‘unprecedented disruption’ to movement of goods in next four weeks

The Head of the Irish Road Haulage Association warned that the transport of goods in Ireland could see a “period of unprecedented disruption” due to Brexit, the next four weeks.

Eugene Drennan told the Oireachtas Transport Committee this morning that disruptions to Ireland’s supply chain could have “catastrophic consequences” if certain measures are not in place by next year.

He said customs and import controls will  be applied at ports and airports on both sides of the Irish Sea.

The inspections by the Revenue, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the HSE and An Garda Síochána will create hold-ups at the ports and airports.

Drennan also added that hauliers are dependent on those in charge of ferries, ports and traffic, and that ports are heavily congested at certain times, even without new checks and controls.

He explained that hauliers are currently under pressure to get their goods to their destination on time, before taking the disruption that Brexit will cause into account. 

Drennan call for a single entity to take responsibility for the free movement of traffic at and around Irish ports, claiming that “uncoordinated chaos” will occur if this does not happen.

He suggested that less concentrated ferry schedules should be put in place, and that port authorities should enforce these changes if ferry companies refuse to do so.

Finally, he asked the TDs for the State agencies responsible for inspections and controls at Irish ports after Brexit to deploy adequate resources and technology to allow them to do so with the least disruption possible.

Separately, Kieran O’Callaghan of Chief Executive of Cargo Logistics warned TDs that a direct daily ferry service to France will slow down cargo deliveries, which would have a negative impact on the transport of goods after Brexit.

He told TDs the UK will maintain an influence over Ireland’s supply chain after Brexit due to Ireland’s “over-reliance” on the UK land bridge.

He suggested that the Irish government should invest in a ‘Cargo air bridge’ to Liege in Belgium, saying this will provide speed, reliability, and autonomy to Ireland’s airfreight model.