Diolch, Llywydd. I move the motion. I’m very pleased to open today’s debate on the committee’s report on the implications of Brexit for Welsh ports. I’d like to start by placing on record my thanks to all the witnesses, the committee staff and colleagues who took part in the inquiry. Ports in Wales make an important contribution to our economy through supporting jobs, driving economic growth and facilitating trade. Our ports also share an important and symbiotic relationship with our European partners, so it’s natural to consider the potential implications of Brexit on our ports, which could be considerable. Our inquiry sought to look into the implications in more detail, and we spoke with many of the main actors involved in the sector, including road haulage, rail freight groups, academics and port operators themselves—and ferry operators. Our evidence gathering was greatly enriched by our rapporteur visit to Dublin earlier in the summer, and I’m certain my colleagues Mark Isherwood and Eluned Morgan would like to place on record our gratitude to everyone that we met in Ireland for the warm welcome we received and for the constructive and open way in which they approached our discussions.

Llywydd, our report threw up a number of the important issues and considerations, including questions about future border arrangements, the post-Brexit customs regime, and the infrastructure in the hinterland of our ports. In total, we have made eight recommendations to the Welsh Government. I am pleased to see that all have been either accepted or accepted in principle. I am disappointed, however, that the Cabinet Secretary’s response does not provide the greater detail that we as a committee would like to see, and perhaps you will take the opportunity to explore these areas in more detail during today’s debate.