Perhaps the central issue facing Welsh ports in the context of Brexit is the questions relating to the future of the Irish border. It became clear that whilst looking at the impact upon Welsh ports in totality, the ports that would be most affected would be our ferry ports at Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock. We heard concerns of how a soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and a hard maritime border between Wales and the Republic of Ireland could severely disadvantage Welsh ports. The loss of competitiveness resulting from differentiated border arrangements could lead to a displacement of traffic from Welsh ports, like Holyhead, to ports elsewhere in England and in Scotland through the Northern Ireland route. I am further concerned that this will be a realistic possibility following the publication this week by the UK Government of its White Paper for a future customs Bill. Reading through their document, there’s discussion of the soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, between the need to ensure no restrictions of traffic flow between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, but there’s no reference to the border between Wales—or even the rest of Great Britain—and the Republic of Ireland. A question I might ask, perhaps: is it even on their minds? Does Wales exist in some of the minds in Westminster? I have great concerns over that.